Accumulation of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in the brain and peripheral ganglia of patients with multiple system atrophy

We immunohistochemically examined the brain and peripheral sympathetic ganglia from eight patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), using an antibody specific for phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (anti-PSer129). Phosphorylated alpha-synuclein was deposited in five cellular locations: oligodendroglial cytoplasm and nucleus, and neuronal cytoplasm, processes and nucleus. Many neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs) were found in the pontine and inferior olivary nuclei and, to a lesser extent, in the substantia nigra, locus ceruleus, and neocortical and hippocampal neurons. NCIs were also found in the sympathetic ganglia in two out of the eight cases. Moreover, anti-PSer129 immunohistochemistry revealed extensive neuropil pathology; swollen neurites were abundant in the pontine nucleus, delicate neurites were observed in the deeper layers of the cerebral cortex and thalamus, and neuropil threads and dot-like structures were distributed in the basal ganglia and brainstem. Diffuse neuronal cytoplasmic staining (pre-NCI) was frequently found in the pontine and inferior olivary nuclei. Thus, the widespread accumulation of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in both glial and neuronal cells is a pathological feature in patients suffering from MSA.