# Thiol repletion therapy for Parkinson's disease

> **NIH VA I01** · VETERANS AFFAIRS MED CTR SAN FRANCISCO · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Several different, seemingly unrelated processes can cause Parkinson’s disease (PD). For examples,
genetic mutations that affect α-synuclein expression, proteasome function, and mitochondrial quality
control each produce a disease phenotype indistinguishable from toxin-induced and “idiopathic” PD. A
fundamental question is whether these disparate processes act through independent mechanisms to
produce the same disease phenotype, or whether instead these processes converge to a shared
pathogenic process. The question is important because identification of a shared pathogenic process
could provide an approach for slowing the progression of idiopathic PD. Here we propose that neuronal
glutathione is a critical nexus linking these processes, by virtue of its roles in both protein folding / repair
and rapid scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We will test the hypothesis that α-synuclein
overexpression (or aggregation) causes neuronal glutathione depletion and resultant neurodegeneration
by facilitating metal-catalyzed ROS production. The studies will use genetic and pharmacological
approaches in mouse and cell culture models of PD. The Thy-1 α-synuclein mouse, which exhibits
several features of PD, will be crossed with mice having genetically reduced neuronal glutathione levels.
The progeny and founder stains will be evaluated at serial time points with measures of motor function,
neuronal glutathione content, oxidative stress, and α-synuclein aggregation. We will also use these mice
stains to evaluate a pharmacological approach for augmenting neuronal glutathione levels and slowing
disease progression. The pharmacological studies will provide a complementary test of the underlying
hypotheses, and will additionally provide preclinical efficacy data. Cerebrospinal fluid from the treated
mice will be collected for a metabolomics assessment of potential treatment biomarkers. In parallel with
these in vivo studies, we will use a cell culture system to more directly evaluate processes by which α-
synuclein overexpression or aggregation may promote ROS production and glutathione consumption.
These processes include α-synuclein interactions with dopamine, pre-formed α-synuclein fibrils, and
protein chaperones. Central to these studies is the concept that α-synuclein or α-synuclein aggregates can
promote ROS production through association with transition metals. The studies will employ a
dopaminergic SH-SY5 neuroblastoma line in which α-synuclein expression can be titrated in response to a
chemical signal (doxycycline)and, where feasible, cultured midbrain neurons from wild-type and α-
synuclein overexpressing mice.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9815454
- **Project number:** 5I01BX003249-04
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS AFFAIRS MED CTR SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** RAYMOND A SWANSON
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-10-01 → 2020-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9815454

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9815454, Thiol repletion therapy for Parkinson's disease (5I01BX003249-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9815454. Licensed CC0.

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