Astrocytes in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration: The role of connexin43 and pannexin1.
The World Health Organization has predicted that by 2040 neurodegenerative diseases will overtake cancer to become the world's second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. This has sparked the development of several European and American brain research initiatives focusing on elucidating the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. Connexin (Cx) and pannexin (Panx) membrane channel proteins are conduits through which neuronal, glial, and vascular tissues interact. In the brain, this interaction is highly critical for homeostasis and brain repair after injury. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which these membrane channels function, in health and disease, might be particularly influential in establishing conceptual frameworks to develop new therapeutics against Cx and Panx channels. This review focuses on current insights and emerging concepts, particularly the impact of connexin43 and pannexin1, under neuroprotective and neurodegenerative conditions within the context of astrocytes.
Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The Life Science Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The Life Science Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: christian.naus@ubc.ca.
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D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000066829:Neuroprotection / Q000502:physiology*
D018031:Connexin 43; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins
astrocytes; connexin43; neurodegeneration; pannexin1