Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED) UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2024;23(9):1101-1119. doi: 10.2174/0118715273269881231012062255.
Astrocytes are glial cells that perform several fundamental physiological functions within the brain. They can control neuronal activity and levels of ions and neurotransmitters, and release several factors that modulate the brain environment. Over the past few decades, our knowledge of astrocytes and their functions has rapidly evolved. Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by selective degeneration of neurons, increased glial activation, and glial dysfunction. Given the significant role played by astrocytes, there is growing interest in their potential therapeutic role. However, defining their contribution to neurodegeneration is more complex than was previously thought. This review summarizes the main functions of astrocytes and their involvement in neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting their neurotoxic and neuroprotective ability.
星形胶质细胞是神经胶质细胞，它们在大脑中执行多种基本的生理功能。它们可以控制神经元的活动以及离子和神经递质的水平，并释放几种调节大脑环境的因子。在过去的几十年中，我们对星形胶质细胞及其功能的认识迅速发展。神经退行性疾病的特征是神经元选择性退化、神经胶质细胞过度激活和功能障碍。鉴于星形胶质细胞的重要作用，人们对其潜在的治疗作用越来越感兴趣。然而，定义它们对神经退行性变的贡献比以前想象的要复杂。本综述总结了星形胶质细胞的主要功能及其在神经退行性疾病中的作用，强调了它们的神经毒性和神经保护能力。
