The interplay between lipid droplets and Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Lipid droplets (LDs), also known as lipid bodies, are dynamic intracellular organelles that are rich in lipids. They serve critical functions in metabolic regulation, membrane dynamics, and cellular signaling pathways. LD homeostasis plays a key role in neurotransmission, receptor activation, and neural development. Intracellular LD accumulation contributes to lipotoxicity and precedes neurodegeneration such as Parkinson's disease (PD). While recent studies have advanced our knowledge regarding how LD accumulation influences PD progression, several fundamental aspects of LD biology remain unclear. This review explores key mechanisms of LD buildup in PD pathogenesis. First, we discuss the formation and physiological roles of LD, followed by an analysis of how impaired LD generation contributes to PD development. Second, we analyze the causal relationship between LD formation and degradation. Lastly, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of LDs as diagnostic biomarkers and molecular targets for innovative neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory strategies. Thus, advancing the mechanistic understanding of LD biology can provide key insights into PD pathogenesis, facilitating the design of targeted therapies.

Keywords: Lipid; Lipid droplets; Lipophagy; Organelles; Parkinson's disease.