The FASEB Journal Research Communication Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2-sensitive Na + /Ca 2+ exchanger activity in dendritic cells

Gene variants of the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are associated with susceptibility to Parkinson's disease (PD). Besides brain and periphery, LRRK2 is expressed in various immune cells including dendritic cells (DCs), antigen-presenting cells linking in- nate and adaptive immunity. However, the function of LRRK2 in the immune system is still incompletely under- stood. Here, Ca 2+ -signaling was analyzed in DCs isolated from gene-targeted mice lacking lrrk2 (Lrrk2 2/2 ) and theirwild-typelittermates(Lrrk2 +/+ ).AccordingtoWestern blotting, Lrrk2 was expressed in Lrrk2 +/+ DCs but not in Lrrk2 2/2 DCs. Cytosolic Ca 2+ levels ((Ca 2+ )i) were deter-