Bone marrow-derived microglia-based neurturin delivery protects against dopaminergic neurodegeneration in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

► Efficacy of microglial NTN delivery for Parkinson's disease gene therapy is tested. ► Gene modified bone marrow-derived microglia accumulate in diseased sites. ► Microglial NTN delivery dramatically reduces degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. ► Protected dopaminergic terminals in the striatum, and restored motor deficits. ► No apparent major side effects were observed.