Fig 2: Prediction of UPDRS III score by gene expression of potential biomarkers. (A) Correlation between genetic expression of LRRK2, HMOX1, TLR2, and ATG7 and change in UPDRS III score. (B) Correlation between genetic expression of LRRK2, TLR2, and ATG7 and raw UPDRS III score. (C) Multiple linear regression analysis of effect of genetic expression of LRRK2, HMOX1, TLR2, TLR8, and ATG7 on change in UPDRS III score. (D) Multiple linear regression analysis of effect of genetic expression of LRRK2, HMOX1, TLR2, TLR8, and ATG7 on raw UPDRS III score. (A,B) r = Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. (C,D) r = regression coefficient. p = 0.05 was considered significant

Fig 3: Gene and protein expression of potential biomarkers in monocytes at 2 and 6 months after sargramostim treatment. The ddPCR assay was performed to determine the gene expression of LRRK2, HMOX1, TLR2, TLR8, RELA, ATG7, and GABARAPL2 at 2 (A) and 6 (B) months after starting the sargramostim treatment compared to baseline. Gene expression was normalized to HPRT1, and the ddPCR assay was performed four times (n = 4 technical replicates). Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expression of ß-actin, LRRK2, HMOX1, TLR2, TLR8, RELA, ATG7, and GABARAPL2 at 2 (C) and 6 (D) months after starting the sargramostim treatment compared to baseline. Protein expression was normalized to ß-actin and densitometric quantification is shown. Western blot analysis was done thrice (n = 3 technical replicates). Data represent mean ± SD. Horizontal line in each image represents baseline expression; values above the line indicate upregulation, while values below the line indicate downregulation