Astrogliosis as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases.
Chronic neurodegenerative diseases represent major unmet needs for therapeutic interventions. Recently, the neurocentric view of brain function and disease has been challenged by a great number of evidence supporting the physiopathological potential of neuroglia. Astrocytes, in particular, play a pivotal role in brain homeostasis as they actively participate in neuronal metabolism, synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection. Furthermore, they are intrinsic components of brain responses to toxic and traumatic insults through complex processes involving several molecular and functional alterations that may lead to disruption of brain homeostasis and connectivity. This review provides a brief overview of current knowledge of astrocyte functions in the brain, and focuses on some glial-specific pathways involved in astrocytic dysfunction that might be effective therapeutic targets for clinical management of neurodegenerative disorders.
Laboratory of Neuroscience "R. Levi-Montalcini", Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy; SYSBIO Centre of Systems Biology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy. Electronic address: annamaria.colangelo@unimib.it.
Anna Maria
AM
Colangelo
Laboratory of Neuroscience "R. Levi-Montalcini", Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy; SYSBIO Centre of Systems Biology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy.
Lilia
L
Alberghina
Laboratory of Morfology of Neural Networks, Department of Medicina Pubblica Clinica e Preventiva, Second University of Napoli, Napoli, Italy; SYSBIO Centre of Systems Biology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy.
Michele
M
Papa
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D055808:Drug Discovery; D005911:Gliosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D049490:Systems Biology
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018698:Glutamic Acid
Brain homeostasis; Neuroprotection; Neurotrophins; Reactive astrogliosis; Systems biology