Generic placeholder image

Current Pharmaceutical Design

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1381-6128
ISSN (Online): 1873-4286

Review Article

Targeting Astrocytes for Treatment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

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

Volume 23, Issue 33, 2017

Page: [5037 - 5044] Pages: 8

DOI: 10.2174/1381612823666170615110446

Price: $65

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.

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


Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy