Impact of endolysosomal dysfunction upon exosomes in neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

Although the factors contributing to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases remain elusive, endolysosomal pathway is emerging as a key player in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The link between endolysosomal dysfunction and neurodegeneration is supported by genetic studies identifying disease mutations in genes controlling endolysosomal function. Growing evidence suggests that endolysosomal dysfunction affect the production, secretion and content of exosomes. Current data suggests that exosomes play a key role in Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, interfering with the transmission of pathological proteins or neuroinflammatory factors related to neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes recent advances in the role of endolysosomal dysfunction in the spreading of pathological proteins mediated by exosomes in the two most common neurodegenerative diseases, AD and PD.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Endolysosomal dysfunction; Exosomes; Parkinson's disease; Pathology progression.