The role of LRRK2 in health and disease in CNS and periphery. (IMAGE)
Caption
LRRK2 exhibits a striking dichotomy in its tissue-specific expression and function: while it is not required for healthy brain function—its decrease does not cause neurodegeneration—it is highly expressed and plays crucial roles in peripheral organs including the kidneys, lungs, and spleen, where it maintains physiological homeostasis through regulation of autophagy, phagocytic activity, and lysosomal function. This organ-specific distribution explains why LRRK2 dysfunction contributes to diverse diseases beyond Parkinson's—from pulmonary fibrosis and inflammatory bowel disease to altered susceptibility to mycobacterial infections—highlighting the protein's multifaceted role at the intersection of neurology, immunology, and peripheral organ health.
Credit
Chinese Medical Journal
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