Publications by authors named "Najah Levers"

Background: Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 kinase inhibitors are being vigorously pursued as potential therapeutic options; however, there is a critical need for sensitive and quantitative assays of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 function and target engagement.

Objectives: Our objective was to compare collection and storage protocols for peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and to determine the optimal conditions for downstream analyses of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 in PD cohorts.

Methods: Here, we describe enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based assays capable of detecting multiple aspects of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 function at endogenous levels in human tissues.

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The phosphorylated form of LRRK2, pS935 LRRK2, has been proposed as a target modulation biomarker for LRRK2 inhibitors. The primary aim of the study was to characterize and qualify this biomarker for therapeutic trials of LRRK2 inhibitors in Parkinson's disease (PD). To this end, analytically validated assays were used to monitor levels of pS935 LRRK2 and total LRRK2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the following donor groups: healthy controls, idiopathic PD, and G2019S carriers with and without PD.

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