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Authors & Affiliations
Alina Blusch, Katharina Lemhoefer, Melissa Sgodzai, Marie Sjögren, Carsten Saft, Maria Björkqvist
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder marked by progressive motor and cognitive decline caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene. Emerging research implicates the immune system and inflammation in HD pathogenesis. Recent investigations reveal immune cells and lymphatic networks within the meninges, challenging their conventional role solely as a protective CNS barrier. Meningeal immune cells are increasingly recognized for their role in normal brain function and various neurological disorders. However, investigations into meningeal immunity in the context of HD are currently lacking. The aim of this study is to elucidate new insights into the complex pathology of HD by examining the involvement of the meningeal immune system, addressing a crucial gap in our comprehension of this neurodegenerative disorder. We utilized the R6/2 mouse model, a widely studied and frequently used tool in HD research. At 19 weeks of age, reflecting the late stage of disease progression, we analyzed immune cell populations in the meninges of R6/2 and wildtype mice using flow cytometry. In the meningeal immune cell population of both R6/2 and wildtype mice, we observed no disparities in the frequency of T cells. However, upon examining T cell subpopulations, we found comparable percentages of Th1 cells, while R6/2 mice exhibited a significant increase in the percentage of Tregs compared to the wildtype. In conclusion, our study provides initial evidence of meningeal immune cell alterations in an HD mouse model, highlighting the need for further investigation into the role of the meningeal immune system in HD.