Plasma LBP and sCD14 levels in Parkinson's disease with Asian LRRK2 risk variants: Associations with systemic inflammation and clinical severity

LRRK2 is implicated in the Parkinson's disease (PD) microbiome–gut–brain axis. We compared plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and soluble CD14 (sCD14), markers of gut permeability and endotoxin exposure, in PD patients with/without LRRK2 p.G2385R and/or p.R1628P and controls, and examined their associations with systemic inflammation and clinical severity. Neither marker differed between groups. Among PD patients, LBP correlated with higher IL-6, TNF-α, and worse motor function, while sCD14 correlated with higher IL-6, CCL5, and worse constipation, with no LRRK2 risk variant-specific associations. Further prospective longitudinal studies are warranted to determine the clinical significance of these associations.