Review
Neurosciences
Lianne A. Hulshof, Danny van Nuijs, Elly M. Hol, Jinte Middeldorp
Summary: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common cause of dementia, characterized by synapse loss. Astrocytes play a crucial role in synapse formation and elimination, and AD astrocytes exhibit altered gene expression profiles and changed function. This review suggests that AD-induced changes in astrocytes lead to decreased synapse support or even synaptotoxicity, resulting in synapse loss and cognitive decline. Preventing AD-induced astrocyte changes may be a potential therapeutic target for dementia.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Yong-mei Zhang, Ying-bei Qi, Ya-nan Gao, Wen-gang Chen, Ting Zhou, Yi Zang, Jia Li
Summary: Astrocytes, comprising a large portion of cells in the central nervous system, play a crucial role in maintaining metabolic balance. Dysfunction in astrocyte metabolism has been identified as a major cause of neurological disorders including depression, Alzheimer's disease, and epilepsy. The metabolism of glucose, amino acids, and lipids in astrocytes has been implicated in the development of neurological diseases. This review provides an overview of the metabolic processes in astrocytes, focusing on glucose, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism, and discusses their implications in neurological disorders.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Margaux Saint-Martin, Yukiko Goda
Summary: Astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating brain functions, not only through supporting neuronal activity but also by directly influencing information processing and behavior through their interactions with synapses. The involvement of astrocytic cell adhesion proteins in synapse formation and function highlights the importance of reevaluating the traditional neurocentric view.
Article
Neurosciences
Jungjoo Park, Won-Suk Chung
Summary: In the central nervous system, synaptic pruning is crucial for circuit maturation in neurodevelopment and synaptic homeostasis. Dysregulation of synaptic pruning is implicated in various mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have shown that glial cells, particularly microglia and astrocytes, play important roles in eliminating synapses through phagocytic mechanisms. This review discusses the mechanisms and physiological significance of astrocyte-mediated synapse elimination and proposes their dominant role in activity-dependent circuit remodeling.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mathematics
Osman Taylan, Mona Abusurrah, Ehsan Eftekhari-Zadeh, Ehsan Nazemi, Farheen Bano, Ali Roshani
Summary: This paper investigates the regulatory role of astrocyte cells in neuronal activity and presents a model to describe their interactions. Simulation results demonstrate that by adjusting the coupling coefficients of astrocytes, the spiking frequency of neurons can be reduced and the activity of neuronal cells can be modulated.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Pavan Bhargava, Sol Kim, Arthur A. Reyes, Roland Grenningloh, Ursula Boschert, Martina Absinta, Carlos Pardo, Peter Van Zijl, Jiangyang Zhang, Peter A. Calabresi
Summary: Leptomeningeal inflammation in multiple sclerosis is associated with poor clinical outcomes and severe cortical pathology. By utilizing ultra-high field MRI in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse models, researchers have identified a novel therapeutic approach to target meningeal inflammation.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marianela Evelyn Traetta, Nonthue Alejandra Uccelli, Sandra Cristina Zarate, Dante Gomez Cuautle, Alberto Javier Ramos, Analia Reines
Summary: This study reveals the reactive changes in cortical microglia and astroglia, as well as synaptic alterations in a rat model prenatally exposed to valproic acid. Additionally, it highlights the importance of communication between microglia and astroglia in neuroinflammation associated with autism spectrum disorder, suggesting it as a potential target for interventions.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christiaan F. M. Huffels, Jinte Middeldorp, Elly M. Hol
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is the main cause of dementia cases worldwide, and it affects the individual components of the quad-partite synapse, including presynaptic and postsynaptic processes, as well as astrocyte and microglia functioning. Understanding these effects is crucial for further research.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Tiina Manninen, Jugoslava Acimovic, Marja-Leena Linne
Summary: Neural networks are widely used in modeling brain systems to explore global dynamics and emergent properties, and recent research has focused on neuron-astrocyte interactions and astrocytic modulation of neural dynamics. Various computational models incorporating these interactions have been developed to study synchronization, information transfer, synaptic plasticity, and other aspects. This study analyzes the evolution of network models with at least two neurons and astrocytes, and proposes a systematic framework for describing and categorizing cell-cell interaction schemes in neuron-astrocyte networks. The study also highlights the need for more comprehensive data and computational tools to further understand the contribution of astrocytes to brain functions.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Matthew J. Broadhead, Calum Bonthron, Julia Waddington, William Smith, Maite F. Lopez, Sarah Burley, Jessica Valli, Fei Zhu, Noboru H. Komiyama, Colin Smith, Seth G. N. Grant, Gareth B. Miles
Summary: Tripartite synaptopathy is a key hallmark of ALS, as revealed by extensive microscopy-based investigations in ALS model mice and post-mortem human tissue. This study demonstrates widespread synaptic changes and selective loss of tripartite synapses in ALS.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhiwen Zhou, Kazuki Okamoto, Junya Onodera, Toshimitsu Hiragi, Megumi Andoh, Masahito Ikawa, Kenji F. Tanaka, Yuji Ikegaya, Ryuta Koyama
Summary: The study demonstrates that increasing cAMP levels in astrocytes can induce synaptic plasticity and affect memory formation and retention, mediated through the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle. This provides a tool to modulate astrocytic cAMP in vivo and sheds light on the role of astrocytic cAMP in brain function.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Adrien Paumier, Sylvie Boisseau, Muriel Jacquier-Sarlin, Karin Pernet-Gallay, Alain Buisson, Mireille Albrieux
Summary: Understanding the sequence of cellular dysfunctions in preclinical Alzheimer's disease is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies. The hyperactivity of hippocampal neurons is an early event in both humans and mouse models. This study shows that chronic inhibition of the TRPA1 channel can protect against Alzheimer's disease progression by normalizing astrocytic activity, preventing neuronal dysfunction, and preserving synaptic integrity.
Review
Neurosciences
Kazuo Yamagata
Summary: Astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating synapse formation and function, protecting the brain from damage and restoring synaptic function after injury. They release various molecules to induce synaptic structure and function, providing a protective effect against synaptic damage.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinrong Li, Shih-Chi Chen, Jacque Pak Kan Ip
Summary: This article explores the role of different cells in the brain, such as astrocytes, microglia, and vascular cells, in interacting with neurons and contributing to cognitive impairment in diseases. Specifically, it focuses on the importance of synaptic loss and dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and how miRNAs can be essential regulators in this process. The article also discusses the potential of miRNA-related biomarkers, therapeutics, and emerging imaging technologies for AD research.
Review
Immunology
Sally H. H. Mohamed, Tinashe K. K. Nyazika, Kenneth Ssebambulidde, Michail S. S. Lionakis, David B. B. Meya, Rebecca A. A. Drummond
Summary: Cryptococcal meningitis is the leading cause of central nervous system fungal infections in humans, especially in Africa due to high HIV burden and limited access to antifungal treatments. The immune response to Cryptococcus neoformans is not fully understood, but CD4(+) T-cells producing IFN-gamma play a crucial role in fungal clearance.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jonathan M. Zuidema, Tushar Kumeria, Dokyoung Kim, Jinyoung Kang, Joanna Wang, Geoffrey Hollett, Xuan Zhang, David S. Roberts, Nicole Chan, Cari Dowling, Elena Blanco-Suarez, Nicola J. Allen, Mark H. Tuszynski, Michael J. Sailor
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Blanco-Suarez, Jonathan G. Hanley
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2014)
Article
Cell Biology
Kai Murk, Elena M. Blanco Suarez, Louisa M. R. Cockbill, Paul Banks, Jonathan G. Hanley
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2013)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Elena Blanco-Suarez, Maria Fiuza, Xun Liu, Elavazhagan Chakkarapani, Jonathan G. Hanley
JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM
(2014)
Article
Neurosciences
Daniel L. Rocca, Mascia Amici, Anna Antoniou, Elena Blanco Suarez, Nagaraj Halemani, Kai Murk, Jennifer McGarvey, Nadia Jaafari, Jack R. Mellor, Graham L. Collingridge, Jonathan G. Hanley
Article
Neurosciences
Elena Blanco-Suarez, Tong-Fei Liu, Alex Kopelevich, Nicola J. Allen
Article
Biology
Isabella Farhy-Tselnicker, Matthew M. Boisvert, Hanqing Liu, Cari Dowling, Galina A. Erikson, Elena Blanco-Suarez, Chen Farhy, Maxim N. Shokhirev, Joseph R. Ecker, Nicola J. Allen
Summary: Research has shown that astrocytes regulate the formation and function of neuronal synapses during development through multiple signals, with some signals showing differential temporal and layer-enriched expression, regulated by neuronal activity. Alterations in astrocyte signaling lead to changes in the expression of synapse-regulating genes and synaptic development. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing identified groups of astrocytic genes regulated by neuronal and astrocyte activity, as well as a cassette of genes that show layer-specific enrichment. It highlights the importance of coordinated signaling between astrocytes and neurons in the development of cortical circuits.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elena Blanco-Suarez, Nicola J. Allen
Summary: Ischemic injury in the brain can lead to cell deprivation of essential nutrients, and the upregulation of Chrdl1 protein in the ischemic area helps protect neurons and limit their plasticity. These findings provide important clues for understanding the mechanism of brain ischemic injury response.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)