Knockdown of cathepsin D protects dopaminergic neurons against neuroinflammation-mediated neurotoxicity through inhibition of NF-κB signalling pathway in Parkinson's disease model.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder pathologically characterized by the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Chronic neuroinflammation is one of the hallmarks of PD pathophysiology. Cathepsin D (CathD), a soluble aspartic protease, has been reported to play an important role in neurodegenerative diseases such as PD.