Role of Astrocytes in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Barreto, George E.; González, Janneth; Capani, Francisco; Morales, Ludis

doi:10.5772/31166

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 115 publications

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“…The basal ganglia micro-circuit consists of four nuclei: Corpus striatum (or striatum), globus pallidus, substantia nigra, and subthalamic nucleus [36]. Recent studies have shown that the sub-thalamic nucleus receives direct excitatory projections from the primary motor cortex [36], and dopaminergic projections from the SNpc [36,37] and striatum [38]. Therefore, the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) influences the direct, and indirect, pathway in the basal ganglia microcircuits [35].…”

Section: Excitotoxicity and Parkinson's Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The cause of PD is not always due to the loss of these dopaminergic neurons and continuous depletion of dopamine, but the concept that it could be attributed to astrocytes, resulting in neuropathological or neuroprotective functions, is becoming gradually more recognized [37]. Dopaminergic (DA) neuron depletion of variable degrees is more severe in the basal ganglia subdivisions of the Globus pallidus external (GPe), than the globus pallidus internal (GPi) in PD [40].…”

Section: Astrocytes and Parkinson's Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

“…From pathological experimental studies, an increase in the number of astrocytes, as well as in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression, is observed in PD pathogenesis. Recent data show that the potential causes of nigral cell (SNc) degeneration in PD is the involvement of mitochondrial defects, elevated oxidative stress, and glutamatergic stimulation [37,41].…”

Section: Astrocytes and Parkinson's Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, this GDNF, secreted by astrocytes and pericytes, is vital for the existence of dopaminergic neurons, peripheral motor neurons, and neurons from the locus coeruleus [3,42]. Astrocytes respond to various chronic neurodegenerative diseases, such as in AD, PD, ALS, and other disorders [7,37].…”

Section: Astrocytes and Parkinson's Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

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The Potential Role of Astrocytes in Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

Gebreyesus

Gebremichael

2020

Medical Sciences

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Astrocytes are multi-functional cells, now recognized as critical participants in many brain functions. They play a critical physiological role in the clearance of neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and in the regulation of K+ from the space of synaptic clefts. Astrocytes also express the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel, which are involved in both physiological functions and neurodegenerative diseases (ND). Some of the ND are the Alzheimer’s (AD), Huntington’s (HD), Parkinson’s diseases (PD), Cerebral edema, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and epilepsy pathological conditions in specific regions of the CNS. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). These project to the striatum, forming an important pathway within the basal ganglia. Mostly, PD has no clear etiology, and the mechanism of dopaminergic (DA) neuron loss is not well illustrated. The results of various studies suggest that astrocytes are involved in the pathophysiology of PD. Evidence has shown that the down-regulation of EAAT-2/GLT-1 and AQP4 expression is associated with PD pathogenesis. However, controversial results were reported in different experimental studies about the expression and function of EAAT-2/GLT-1 and AQP4, as well as their colocalization in different brain regions, and their involvement in PD development. Therefore, under neurological disorders, Parkinson’s disease is related to the genetic and phenotypic change of astrocytes’ biology. In this review, the authors summarized recent their research findings, which revealed the involvement of EAAT-2/GLT-1 and AQP4 expression, the physical interaction between EAAT-2/GLT-1 and AQP4 in astrocyte function, and their potential role in the development of PD in SNpc and Subthalamic nucleus (STN) of the basal ganglia nuclei.

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Section: Excitotoxicity and Parkinson's Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Astrocytes and Parkinson's Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Astrocytes and Parkinson's Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Astrocytes and Parkinson's Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Potential Role of Astrocytes in Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

Gebreyesus

Gebremichael

2020

Medical Sciences

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Relationship Between Obesity, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease: an Astrocentric View

et al. 2016

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Obesity is considered one of the greatest risk to human health and is associated with several factors including genetic components, diet, and physical inactivity. Recently, the relationship between obesity and numerous progressive and aging-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been observed. Thus, the involvement of the most abundant and heterogeneous group of glial cells in neurodegenerative diseases, the astrocytes, is caused by a combination of the failure on their normal homeostatic functions and the increase of toxic metabolites upon pathological event. Upon brain damage, molecular signals induce astrocyte activation and migration to the site of injury, entering in a highly active state, with the aim to contribute to ameliorating or worsening the pathology. In this regard, the aim of this review is to elucidate the relationship between obesity, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease and highlight the role of astrocytes in these pathologies.

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