title: Novel Approaches in Astrocyte Protection: from Experimental Methods to Computational Approaches.
abstract: Astrocytes are important for normal brain functioning. Astrocytes are metabolic regulators of the brain that exert many functions such as the preservation of blood-brain barrier (BBB) function, clearance of toxic substances, and generation of antioxidant molecules and growth factors. These functions are fundamental to sustain the function and survival of neurons and other brain cells. For these reasons, the protection of astrocytes has become relevant for the prevention of neuronal death during brain pathologies such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and other neurodegenerative conditions. Currently, different strategies are being used to protect the main astrocytic functions during neurological diseases, including the use of growth factors, steroid derivatives, mesenchymal stem cell paracrine factors, nicotine derivatives, and computational biology tools. Moreover, the combined use of experimental approaches with bioinformatics tools such as the ones obtained through system biology has allowed a broader knowledge in astrocytic protection both in normal and pathological conditions. In the present review, we highlight some of these recent paradigms in assessing astrocyte protection using experimental and computational approaches and discuss how they could be used for the study of restorative therapies for the brain in pathological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Garzón
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cabezas
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ávila-Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
authors.forename: Janneth
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Neurociencias, Universidad La Sabana, Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia.
authors.forename: Rosa Margarita
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33647, USA.|Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur, 1457, Concepción, Chile.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Echeverria
authors.affiliation: "GALLY" International Biomedical Research Consulting LLC, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.|School of Health Science and Healthcare Administration, University of Atlanta, E. Johns Crossing, #175, Johns Creek, GA, 30097, USA.
authors.forename: Gjumrakch
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aliev
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia. gesbarreto@gmail.com.|Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile. gesbarreto@gmail.com.
authors.forename: George E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Barreto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents
keywords: Astrocytes; Computational biology; Growth factors; Mesenchymal stem factors; Neurosteroids; Nicotine