Influenza, COVID-19 may fuel Parkinson’s processes, finds CCMB

Influenza and COVID-19 infections might elevate the likelihood of neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, according to research conducted by scientists at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB). The precise biological connection between viral infections and brain degeneration has previously been unclear.

The study, led by Swasti Raychaudhuri, explored how RNA viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2 could trigger processes related to Parkinson's disease. Alpha-synuclein, a protein implicated in the development of Parkinson's disease, forms toxic clumps in affected brains. The researchers discovered that viral RNA can adopt specific three-dimensional structures, known as RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s), which bind to alpha-synuclein and promote its aggregation.

A protective cellular response was also identified, as the DDX39A protein, usually present in the nucleus, moves to the cytoplasm during infection and interacts with both alpha-synuclein and rG4 structures. This interaction unwinds the viral RNA, reducing replication and slowing the formation of harmful alpha-synuclein aggregates.

The balance between these harmful and protective cellular responses ultimately determines the outcome. While cells possess mechanisms to fight viral infections and prevent protein aggregation, certain conditions may promote protein buildup. The researchers emphasized that not every viral infection leads to neurodegeneration, but repeated infections could contribute to the accumulation of harmful changes over time.

Further investigation is underway to understand how routine viral infections might contribute to Parkinson's disease development years later.