Exploring Immunogenetic Mechanisms in Parkinson's Disease Using Single-Cell Transcriptomics and Mendelian Randomization.

Abstract

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neuron. Although the role of immunity in PD has been increasingly recognized, the immunogenetic mechanisms underpinning its progression remain largely unresolved.

Methods: We employed an integrative approach combining Mendelian randomization (MR), expression quantitative trait loci analysis, and single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate immune cell infiltration and transcriptional regulation in PD. Immune cell composition, pathway activation, and gene regulatory networks were assessed through single-cell gene set enrichment analysis and transcriptional correlation analyses.

Results: Immune profiling revealed significant increases in naive B cells (1.22-fold), plasma cells (3.00-fold), switched memory B cells (2.85-fold), and unswitched memory B cells (6.70- fold) in PD patients compared to controls (p < 0.001). MR analysis identified five causal genes- CYTH4, FGR, LRRK2, RIN3, and SAT1- associated with monocyte, neutrophil, and B cell infiltration. SAT1 (OR: 1.529; 95% CI: 1.018-2.297) and RIN3 (OR: 1.222; 95% CI: 1.039- 1.437) showed strong associations with PD risk (p < 0.01). SAT1 positively correlated with PARK7 and regulated reactive oxygen species signaling, while FGR negatively correlated with ABCA4, influencing lipid metabolism and immune responses.

Discussion: These findings highlight distinct immunogenetic mechanisms driving PD progression. The SAT1-PARK7 axis appears to modulate oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, whereas the FGR-ABCA4 interaction may affect metabolic and immune pathways. While the study is limited by population heterogeneity and the challenges of inferring causality, it provides mechanistic insights into immune contributions to PD.

Conclusion: Our integrative genomic analysis identified novel regulatory networks involving immune-related genes in PD, offering potential targets for mechanistic understanding and therapeutic development.