The histological hallmark of PD is the presence of proteinaceous intraneuronal inclusions termed Lewy bodies (LBs) along with the presence of Lewy neurites (LNs) within neuronal dendrites and axons [
135,
136]. Dysfunction of protein metabolism appears to be an important factor in LB formation and the associated neurodegeneration (see for further review [
137]), but the significance of these aggregates is still a subject of debate. It is unclear if LBs are pathogenic and mechanistically cause neuronal death [
138] or rather the actual function of LBs is neuroprotective by sequestering unwanted, potentially toxic proteins [
139–
141]. The latter hypothesis is supported clinically by evidence, particularly from autosomal recessive juvenile Parkinson's disease due to Parkin mutation demonstrating that neurodegeneration can occur without the presence of LBs in both apparently sporadic and familial forms of PD [
142,
143]. LBs are also reported in cognitively intact individuals over 65 years [
144] although this may indicate a prodromal phase of PD prior to clinical presentation.
LBs are typically found in brainstem nuclei and in limbic and neocortical regions in PD and Dementia with Lewy bodies patients (DLB), and additionally, they can be identified in autonomic ganglia in the periphery [
145]. There are two morphological types of LBs: brainstem (classic) and cortical Lewy bodies. Classic Lewy bodies are intracytoplasmic eosinophylic inclusions that consist of a dense core surrounded by a pale halo [
135]. They are spherical in shape however, a recent report of Kanazawa et al. showed also convoluted LBs and their continuity with LNs, which may suggest evolution from LNs to LBs [
146]. Typically, classic LBs are seen in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra and noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus although they were originally described in neurons of the basal forebrain [
147]. Cortical LBs are less well-defined structures compared to classic LBs and are without the halo and are predominantly located in limbic areas of the brain, such as the amygdala, entorhinal, insular, and cingulate cortices [
145]. Ultrastructurally, both classic and cortical LBs are composed of filamentous, insoluble in SDS, material resembling neurofilament [
148]. Electron microscope examination of Lewy bodies demonstrates that the core contains dense granular material, whereas the outer halo is composed of radiating filaments of 7–20

nm in diameter [
135]. Staging of severity of the pathology of PD and DLB based on the distribution of LBs in the brain have been put forward and are used in the classification of the neuropathology of PD and DLB [
149].
Immunohistochemical staining and proteomic analyses have deciphered the complexities of the molecular composition of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites.
α-synuclein [
135,
150], ubiquitin [
151], and neurofilaments [
152] appear to be the major components, with
α-synuclein representing the most prominent and consistent marker of LB/LN. More recently triple immunolabeling for these epitopes has revealed a three-layered internal structure of LBs and LNs [
146]. These primary molecular constituents are stratified into concentric layers with ubiquitin staining in the center, surrounded by
α-synuclein and neurofilament on the periphery, which is consistent with previous observations [
153].
A large number of mitochondria have been observed in early-stage LBs [
132,
154]. Mitochondrial accumulation has also been found in nigral Lewy and pale bodies (possibly precursors of LBs [
133]) and cortical LBs but not in classical LBs in PD and in a mouse 26S proteasomal knockout model [
132]. This may suggest direct involvement of mitochondria in early stages of LB formation. According to the aggresome-related model of LB formation, mitochondria may be sequestered to the inclusion bodies in order to facilitate the removal of unwanted proteins (see [
140] for extensive review). LBs also contain components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system although unlike functional aggresomes, they fail to degrade abnormal proteins but sequester them to delay neuronal death [
153].
Proteomic analysis of mitochondrial protein composition of the substantia nigra of mice treated with MPTP compared to controls showed significant changes in numerous protein expression. Of these proteins, DJ-1 protein levels were significantly increased in the toxin-treated mice and also colocalised with
α-synuclein in LB-like inclusions in the remaining nigral neurons. Moreover, DJ-1 was present in the halo of classical LBs in nigral tissue of PD patients [
155]. Parkin, PINK1, and Omi/HtrA2 have also been localized to the LBs in cases with PD [
156–
159]. These proteins have been shown to interact and are also involved in proteasomal functions [
160,
161]. Thus, there is a potential link between mitochondrial and proteasomal functions, which may influence
α-synuclein biology. The interplay may involve oxidative stress and ATP production [
161]; however, a wider impact of these cellular pathologies may be speculated. In addition,
α-synuclein has been shown to affect both proteasome and mitochondria [
162,
163] therefore, a vicious cycle of mitochondrial and proteasomal dysfunction and
α-synuclein aggregation in LBs may exist (see for review [
164]).