Authors: Andrew J. Petersen and David A. Wassarman

Andrew J. Petersen

Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program; University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; Madison, WI USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology; University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; Madison, WI USA

David A. Wassarman

Corresponding author: dawassarman@wisc.edu
Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program; University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; Madison, WI USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology; University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; Madison, WI USA

Abstract:
In this Extra View, we highlight recent Drosophila research that has uncovered a new role for the innate immune response. The research indicates that, in addition to combating infection, the innate immune response promotes neurodegeneration. Our publication (Petersen et al., 2012) reveals a correlative relationship between the innate immune response and neurodegeneration in a model of the human disease Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T). We also found that glial cells are responsible for the innate immune response in the A-T model, and work by others implicates glial cells in neurodegeneration. Additionally, publications by Chinchore et al. (2012) and Tan et al. (2008) reveal a causative role for the innate immune response in models of human retinal degenerative disorders and Alzheimer disease, respectively. Collectively, these findings suggest that activation of the innate immune response is a shared cause of neurodegeneration in different human diseases.

Extra View to:
AJ Petersen, SA Rimkus, DA Wassarman. ATM kinase inhibition in glial cells activates the innate immune response and causes neurodegeneration in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109: E656-64
PMID: 22355133 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1110470109

Received: May 8, 2012; Accepted: June 4, 2012

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