Targeting Astrocytes for Treatment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Title:Targeting Astrocytes for Treatment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Volume: 23 Issue: 33

Author(s): Mina Peric, Dinko Mitrecic and Pavle R. Andjus*

Affiliation:

• Center for Laser Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade,Serbia

Keywords: Blood-brain barrier, astrocyte, endfeet, Kir4.1, AQP4, IP3 receptor pathway, stem cells, cell transplantation.

Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disorder affecting upper and lower motoneurons. The two types, sporadic and familial differ in the aetiopathogenesis but have a similar neuropathology characterized by oxidative stress, excitotoxicity and inflammation. The disease is also characterized by a non-cell autonomous mechanism with astrocytes playing a central role by affecting synaptic glutamate, the blood-brain barrier, and metabolic and trophic support. Two types of therapeutic approaches focusing on astrocytes are presented: a) emerging molecular targets (potassium inward rectifier channels and aquaporins at the astrocyte endfeet, and IP3 receptor signaling pathway), and b) cell therapy with stem cell - generated and transplanted astrocytes.

Cite this article as:

Peric Mina , Mitrecic Dinko and Andjus R. Pavle*, Targeting Astrocytes for Treatment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2017; 23 (33) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612823666170615110446