Cytoplasmic aggregates of dynactin in iPSC-derived tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons from a patient with Perry syndrome

• We describe clinical and neuroimaging investigations of a Perry syndrome patient.
• We generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a Perry syndrome patient.
• Perry syndrome tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons show dynactin aggregates in cytoplasm.

BackgroundPerry syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder clinically characterized by parkinsonism with depression/apathy, weight loss, and central hypoventilation. Eight mutations in DCTN1 gene have been reported. A novel disease model is required because the detailed pathogenesis remains unclear.MethodsTo develop a novel model, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a Perry syndrome patient with F52L mutation in DCTN1, and describe clinical and neuroimaging investigations. We differentiated iPSCs into tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons. Immunocytochemistry analyses of control and mutant were performed.ResultsThe patient displayed levodopa responsive parkinsonism. Dopamine transporter single photon emission tomography showed markedly decreased uptake in the striatum, and metaiodobenzylguanidine cardiac scintigraphy also showed decreased uptake. Perry syndrome TH-positive neurons showed dynactin aggregates in cytoplasm.ConclusionsTH-positive neurons from Perry syndrome iPSCs recapitulated an aspect of the disease phenotype of Perry syndrome.