Immune Responses in Parkinson’s Disease: Interplay between Central and Peripheral Immune Systems

Figure 1

Interplay between central and peripheral immune systems in Parkinson’s disease. The aging process, genetic mutation, and/or dysregulation of certain gene expressions serve as a “priming” stimulus for microglia. Upon secondary stimulation (e.g., environmental toxin, viral infection, high fat diet), peripheral inflammation is induced and communicates with brain through neural (vagal afferent) or humoral routs (e.g., cytokines circulation). The primed microglia are further activated and release excessive quantities of proinflammatory cytokines driving neurodegeneration.