Link found between TB and Parkinson’s disease

New research has brought into light a link between Parkinson’s disease and TB through a protein named Parkin. This protein has been the focus of many trials and studies because of its association with Parkinson’s disease but now researchers Jeffrey Cox and his collegues report that the protein Parkin can induce macrophages to kill the tuberculosis causing bacteria. According to Cox, the trials which are already in place to help in developing treatment for Parkinson’s disease might also be useful for treating tuberculosis. The researchers identified Parkin as a common element in the two diseases while they were investigating how macrophages destroy bacteria. In both mouse and human macrophages infected by M. tuberculosis which were under observation in the lab, Parkin helped in fighting the bacteria. Genetically engineered mice which had no Parkin in their body died after M. tuberculosis was introduced in the mice.