Neuroprotection by Epigenetic Modulation in a Transgenic Model of Multiple System Atrophy

Similar to Parkinson disease, multiple system atrophy (MSA) presents neuropathologically with nigral neuronal loss; however, the hallmark intracellular α-synuclein (αSyn) accumulation in MSA affects typically oligodendrocytes to form glial cytoplasmic inclusions. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. As MSA is predominantly sporadic, epigenetic mechanisms may play a role. We tested the effects of the pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) sodium phenylbutyrate in aged mice overexpressing αSyn under the control of the proteolipid protein promoter (PLP–αSyn) designed to model MSA and characterized by αSyn accumulation in oligodendrocytes and nigral neurodegeneration. HDACi improved motor behavior and survival of nigral neurons in PLP–αSyn mice. Furthermore, HDACi reduced the density of oligodendroglial αSyn aggregates, which correlated with the survival of nigral neurons in PLP–αSyn mice. For the first time, we suggest a role of HDACi in the pathogenesis of MSA-like neurodegeneration and support the future development of selective HDACi for MSA therapy