Role of Netrin-1 dysregulation in early neuronal pathology of α-synuclein models of Parkinson's disease

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by early synaptic and axonal dysfunction, driven by α-synuclein (α-Syn, encoded by the SNCA gene) aggregation. The axon guidance molecules play critical roles in neuronal integrity, yet their dysregulation in PD remains underexplored.

Objectives: This study aimed to demonstrate how α-Syn preformed fibrils (PFFs) alter the expression of axon guidance molecules, contributing to early synucleinopathy, and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of netrin-1 (NTN1).

Methods: Transgenic hSNCA^Nestin mice and PFF-injected models were used. Behavioral assessments, Western blot analyses, and immunofluorescence quantified the expression of axon guidance molecules and neuronal morphology at multiple time points.

Results: In hSNCA^Nestin mice, NTN1 mRNA and protein levels decreased significantly at 8 months, while deleted in colorectal Cancer (DCC) increased, correlating with reduced dendritic length, spine density, and synaptic proteins. PFF-injected mice showed similar NTN1 reduction and DCC elevation at 6 months, alongside motor deficits and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH⁺) neuron loss. Exogenous NTN1 application reversed morphological deficits in SH-SY5Y cells and primary neurons exposed to α-Syn PFFs, highlighting its protective role.

Conclusion: α-Syn-induced NTN1 reduction exacerbates early PD pathology by impairing axonal and synaptic integrity, while NTN1 restoration mitigates these effects, suggesting therapeutic potential. These findings emphasize axon guidance pathways as key contributors to PD pathogenesis and targets for disease-modifying strategies.

Deleted in colorectal cancer; Netrin-1; Neurodegeneration; Parkinson’s disease; Synucleinopathy; α-synuclein.