PD is a complex disease affecting multiple human functions, as a consequence of problems in the communication and function of different types of cells in the brain, and even outside of the brain. So why is it that we use individual cell systems to model such a complex disease? Is this possible? Is this even reasonable?

Although we have made tremendous progress in our understanding of the origins of PD, the fact is that we still do not fully understand the basic molecular mechanisms leading to cell dysfunction and death. This is what we would like to be able to target in the future in order to prevent the onset and progression of the disease. So how can we achieve that?

As scientists, we tend to simplify the problems in order to understand them. In PD, this has been done by developing models that recapitulate certain disease features we consider relevant, and then testing our hypothesis. While confirming a hypothesis is important, it is just as important to find out we can be wrong, and that our hypothesis was not correct.

In the laboratory, scientists use a variety of models, including flies, small mammals, non-human primates, but also single-cells. It is easy to understand that an intact animal may, at least for testing some hypothesis, but useful. But again, is it reasonable to use since-cells to model PD? I want to argue it is!

There are multiple angles to this issue: an obvious point is that using cell cultures avoids many ethical issues associated with using and sacrificing animals for research; another is that many procedures used in the laboratory are only possible with simple models such as cultured cells. These enable us to isolate and dissect specific aspects of the disease and test hypotheses focused on very specific molecular mechanisms, simplifying also our interpretations. Of course these models, as ANY model, are imperfect – but they are very useful! In the long run, using cell models can speed up our advances while, at the same time, reducing the use of animal models. These animal models cannot be fully replaced, as they are then essential for testing other aspects of the hypotheses, but we can avoid the unnecessary use of animals in many instances.

In conclusion, I am convinced cell models of PD hold promise and value, and that we, as scientists, need to be open to addressing basic questions and hypothesis that should, in the future, lead to way to novel therapeutic strategies.

Prof. Dr. Tiago Fleming Outiero, PhD, presented at the WPC 2016 and spoke on the WPC Scientific Update 2015 webcast. He is currently Director of the Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen in Goettingen, Germany. He will be presenting at the WPC 2023 in Barcelona. View the Scientific Program.

Ideas and opinions expressed in this post reflect that of the author(s) solely. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the World Parkinson Coalition®