Molecular Mechanisms of Astrocytic Activation
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 3400
Special Issue Editor
Interests: blood–brain barrier; VCI; astrocyte; brain injury
Special Issue Information
Dear colleagues,
Astrocytes maintain neurotransmission and the trophic support of nerve cells in the normal adult brain, but in many brain disorders, these change phenotype into reactive astrocytes, which is called “astrocytic activation”. Reactive astrocytes are characterized by hypertrophy and high proliferative property, leading to glial scar formation at the site of brain injury. In addition, various kinds of bioactive substances are released from reactive astrocytes. Recent studies have shown that reactive astrocytes and glial scar formation are involved in the pathophysiological responses of damaged brain, including neuroinflammation, brain edema, neurogenesis, neuronal degeneration, and axonal elongation. From these observations, it has been suggested that control of the astrocytic functions can be an effective treatment for the protection of the nervous system and/or the recovery of nerve function from brain disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying astrocytic activation in brain disorders have not been fully clarified, and many researchers are examining signal molecules that induce astrocytic activation.
This Special Issue, “Molecular Mechanisms of Astrocytic Activation”, is designed to collect recent findings on extracellular factors, intracellular signal molecules, and transcriptional factors that underlie the induction of astrocytic activation and the functional alterations. This Issue will welcome original reports, review articles, and commentaries on the molecular mechanisms of astrocyte activation. In addition, research reports on experiments that attempt to improve brain disorder by utilizing astrocytic function will also be welcome.
Prof. Dr. Yutaka Koyama
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- astrocyte
- glial scar
- brain disorders
- bioactive substances
- signal transduction
- transcription factors
- neuroprotection
- nerve repair
