Actions of estrogens on glial cells: Implications for neuroprotection.
Glial cells are directly or indirectly affected by estradiol and by different estrogenic compounds, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators. Acting on oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and microglia, estrogens regulate remyelination, edema formation, extracellular glutamate levels and the inflammatory response after brain injury. In addition, estradiol induces the expression and release of growth factors by glial cells that promote neuronal survival. Therefore, glial cells are important players in the neuroprotective and reparative mechanisms of estrogenic compounds.
Arevalo
María-Angeles
MA
Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
Santos-Galindo
María
M
Bellini
María-José
MJ
Azcoitia
Iñigo
I
Garcia-Segura
Luis M
LM
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000378:metabolism*
D004967:Estrogens; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018698:Glutamic Acid