Transgenic mice expressing human alpha-synuclein in noradrenergic neurons develop locus coeruleus pathology and non-motor features of Parkinson’s disease

Degeneration of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons and dysregulation of noradrenergic signaling are ubiquitous features of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The LC is among the first brain regions affected by α-synuclein (asyn) pathology, yet how asyn affects these neurons remains unclear. LC-derived norepinephrine (NE) can stimulate neuroprotective mechanisms and modulate immune cells, while dysregulation of NE neurotransmission may exacerbate disease progression, particularly non-motor symptoms, and contribute to the chronic neuroinflammation associated with PD pathology. Although transgenic mice overexpressing asyn have previously been developed, transgene expression is usually driven by pan-neuronal promoters and thus has not been selectively targeted to LC neurons. Here we report a novel transgenic mouse expressing human wild-type asyn under control of the noradrenergic-specific dopamine β-hydroxylase promoter. These mice developed asyn aggregates in LC neurons, alterations in hippocampal and LC microglial abundance, upregulated GFAP expression, degeneration of LC fibers, decreased striatal dopamine metabolism, and age-dependent behaviors reminiscent of non-motor symptoms of PD. These mice provide novel insights into how asyn pathology affects LC neurons and how LC dysfunction may contribute to early PD pathophysiology.