Astrocyte reactivity in Alzheimer’s disease; therapeutic opportunities to promote repair
File(s)
Author(s)
Mirzaei, N
Davis, Nicola
Chau, TW
Sastre, Magdalena
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Astrocytes are fast climbing the ladder of importance in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with the prominent presence of reactive astrocytes surrounding amyloid β- plaques, together with activated microglia. Reactive astrogliosis, implying morphological and molecular transformations in astrocytes, seems to precede neurodegeneration, suggesting a role in the development of the disease. Single-cell transcriptomics have recently demonstrated that astrocytes from AD brains are different from “normal” healthy astrocytes, showing dysregulations in areas such as neurotransmitter recycling, including glutamate and GABA, and impaired homeostatic functions. However, recent data suggests that the ablation of astrocytes in mouse models of amyloidosis results in an increase in amyloid pathology as well as in the inflammatory profile and reduced synaptic density, indicating that astrocytes mediate neuroprotective effects. The idea that interventions targeting astrocytes may have great potential for AD has therefore emerged, supported by a range of drugs and stem cell transplantation studies that have successfully shown a therapeutic effect in mouse models of AD. In this article, we review the latest reports on the role and profile of astrocytes in AD brains and how manipulation of astrocytes in animal models has paved the way for the use of treatments enhancing astrocytic function as future therapeutic avenues for AD.
Date Issued
2022-01-01
Date Acceptance
2021-07-31
Citation
Current Alzheimer Research, 2022, 19 (1), pp.1-15
ISSN
1567-2050
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers
Start Page
1
End Page
15
Journal / Book Title
Current Alzheimer Research
Volume
19
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
Copyright reserved
© 2022 Bentham Science Publishers.
Sponsor
Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK)
Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK)
Identifier
https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/118626
Grant Number
ART/PPG2009B/10
ART-PG2011-12
Subjects
Alzheimer’s disease
amyloid
astrocyte
glial cells
Neurology & Neurosurgery
1103 Clinical Sciences
1109 Neurosciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2022-01-01