Treatment with phosphotidylglycerol-based nanoparticles prevents motor deficits induced by proteasome inhibition: Implications for Parkinson's disease

Failure of the ubiquitin-proteasome system to degrade abnormal proteins may underlie the accumulation of α-synuclein and dopaminergic neuronal degeneration that occurs in Parkinson's disease. Consequently, a reduction of functional proteasome activity has been implicated in Parkinson's disease. VP025 (Vasogen Inc.) is a preparation of phospholipid nanoparticles incorporating phosphatidylglycerol that has been shown to have neuroprotective effects. We show that VP025 prevents the deficits in motor coordination and dopamine observed in a proteasome inhibitor rat model of PD. Thus, VP025 may have a therapeutic effect on the impairment of dopaminergic-mediated motor activity induced by proteasome inhibition.