OncoWuXi Express: Animal Models of Parkinson's Disease

OncoWuXi Express: Animal Models of Parkinson’s Disease

Introduction：

OncoWuXi Express will continue to keep you informed about updates to our online pharmacology model database (OncoWuXi Database), as well as our recent progress in preclinical research. In this issue, we showcase animal models related to Parkinson’s disease.

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Introduction

Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a widely prevalent neurodegenerative disorder globally. According to the British Medical Journal (BMJ), it is projected that by 2050, the number of PD patients worldwide will reach 25.2 million ^[1]. As the trend of population aging intensifies, the incidence of PD continues to rise. However, current treatment methods are still insufficient. Constructing more precise disease models and exploring more effective treatment strategies have become critical issues that urgently need to be addressed.

The main pathological features of PD include the loss of dopaminergic neurons (dopamine, DA) in the substantia nigra and the abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) (Figure 1). Clinically, patients typically exhibit motor symptoms, such as tremors, bradykinesia, and muscle rigidity, along with non-motor symptoms, including cognitive impairment and sleep disturbances ^[2].

Figure 1. Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease ^[1]

Pre-clinical animal models of PD

Although drugs like levodopa (L-DOPA) can alleviate the symptoms of PD to a certain extent, long-term use may lead to motor complications. With a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of PD, treatment strategies have gradually evolved from symptomatic relief to precise interventions targeting the disease mechanisms. Therefore, developing appropriate preclinical animal models is crucial for studying the pathogenesis of PD and the R&D of potential therapeutic drugs. WuXi Biology has constructed high-quality PD models comprehensively covering different research needs for this disease (Table 1). Additionally, we are equipped with a complete platform for behavioral tests related to motor dysfunction, including gait analysis (CatWalk), rotarod test, open-field test, cylinder test, apomorphine-induced rotation test, pole test, grip strength test, among others, to evaluate changes in animal motor abilities from multiple dimensions.

Table 1. Types, Characteristics, and Application of Parkinson’s Disease Animal Models

Additionally, WuXi Biology has established a histopathological detection system for PD-related biomarkers, including the detection of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), phosphorylated α-synuclein (P-α-syn), and neuroinflammation markers, providing strong support for mechanistic studies and efficacy validation of PD (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Histopathological Detection of PD-Related Biomarkers

Although research and treatment of Parkinson’s Disease still face many challenges, the construction and refinement of high-quality disease models, which accurately reproduce disease characteristics, can facilitate in-depth analysis of pathological mechanisms and provide a crucial platform for screening and validating new therapeutic strategies. This significantly promotes early diagnosis and precise intervention for PD, bringing hope for improved patient outcomes.

References

[1] Castonguay AM, Gravel C, Lévesque M. Treating Parkinson’s Disease with Antibodies: Previous Studies and Future Directions. J Parkinsons Dis. 2021;11(1):71-92. doi: 10.3233/JPD-202221.

[2] Poewe W, Seppi K, Tanner CM, Halliday GM, Brundin P, Volkmann J, Schrag AE, Lang AE. Parkinson disease. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017 Mar 23;3:17013. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2017.13.