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Understanding the role of lysosomes in the intercellular TNT-mediated spreading of α-synuclein and the impact of lysosomal dysfunction

Project description

The role of lysosomes in the intercellular spreading of α-synuclein

The accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates in affected brain regions is a hallmark shared by several neurodegenerative diseases (ND). Misfolded alpha-synuclein (α-syn) accumulates in Parkinson’s disease, and the mechanisms linked to the spreading of α-syn have been implicated in its pathology progression. Recent studies have demonstrated that α-syn fibrils spread between neuronal cells through tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs), thin actin-based membrane protrusions mediating the intercellular transport of various cargoes. These α-syn fibrils induce the aggregation of soluble α-syn in receiving cells. The EU-funded LySyT project will uncover the mechanism by which α-syn fibrils escape from lysosomes to induce the aggregation of monomers in acceptor cells, aiming to understand the correlation between lysosomal storage diseases and NDs.

Objective

Over the last few decades, neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) became one of the top 10 global causes of death. The accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates in affected brain regions is a common hallmark shared by several NDs. Misfolded alpha-synuclein (α-syn) accumulates in Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most common ND, and recently a “prion-like” mechanism linked to the spreading of α-syn has been suggested for the pathology progression. The Zurzolo group demonstrated that α-syn fibrils spread between neuronal cells inside lysosomes through tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), thin actin-based membrane protrusions mediating intercellular transport of various cargos. As known, lysosomes move along microtubules therefore this research aims to understand how lysosomes can move inside and through actin-based TNTs. The host lab also showed that the transferred α-syn fibrils induce the aggregation of soluble cytosolic α-syn in receiving cells and this project will unravel the mechanism by which α-syn fibrils escape from lysosomes to induce the aggregation of monomers in acceptor cells. In addition, since lysosomal dysfunction is a common feature of NDs, this research will shed light on the functionality and fate of α-syn-loaded lysosomes. Lysosomal dysfunction is also a trait of Lysosomal Storage Diseases (LSDs), a group of about 50 rare inherited metabolic disorders generally caused by the defective function of a specific lysosomal enzyme leading to the lysosomal accumulation of non-degraded materials and neurodegeneration in the forms most severe. This project will investigate the correlation between LSDs and NDs and the possible implications of TNTs in LSDs that represent a new perspective for LSDs etiopathogenesis. By combining my skills in lysosome physiopathology and the host lab expertise in TNTs and PD pathogenesis, this project will provide a deep understanding of the role of lysosomes in NDs pathogenesis and valuable insights to combat these incurable diseases.

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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019

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Coordinator

INSTITUT PASTEUR
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 184 707,84
Address
RUE DU DOCTEUR ROUX 25-28
75724 Paris
France

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Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Hauts-de-Seine
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Total cost

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€ 184 707,84
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