Vimentin network dysregulation mediates neurite deficits in SNCA duplication 2 Parkinson’s patient-derived midbrain neurons [ATAC-seq]

Duplication of the SNCA gene (SNCADupl), linked to elevated levels of alpha-synuclein (aSyn), is a genetic cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). Our prior work with human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived midbrain neurons generated from PD SNCADupl patients identified neuritic deficits, accompanied by decreased levels of cytoskeletal element b-tubulin-III (bTubIII). To explore the underlying mechanisms for these effects in SNCADupl neurons, we employed CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate isogenic control hiPSCs. Isogenic correction of SNCA dosage restored SNCADupl-induced neurite morphologic defects and decreased bTubIII levels. Multi-omics analyses revealed SNCADupl-induced upregulation of the cytoskeletal protein vimentin. Further characterization revealed heightened vimentin truncation, associated with altered distribution and organization. Similar changes in vimentin levels and truncation were observed in post-mortem putamen tissue from sporadic PD patients. Notably, interference with vimentin by okadaic acid and withaferin A restored bTubIII- and neurite-associated defects, suggesting that targeting vimentin potentially prevents aSyn-mediated neuritic degeneration.