Therapeutic Strategy of Targeting Astrocytes for Neuroprotection in Parkinson's Disease. 2017

Ikuko Miyazaki, and Masato Asanuma
Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama. Japan.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of common neurodegenerative diseases, which shows motor symptoms including tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability. It also involves non-motor symptoms such as cognitive impairment, mental manifestation, autonomic disorder and sensory disturbance. Although treatments to improve the motor disability in PD are being assessed at present, the main challenge remains that is the development of neuroprotective or disease-modifying treatments. Therefore, it is desirable to find approaches that can inhibit the progression of dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Astrocytes are known to play an important role in the maintenance of the neuronal environment and exert neuroprotective effects. Additionally, astrocyte dysfunction increases the susceptibility of neurons to cytotoxicity. We have demonstrated neuroprotective approaches in parkinsonian models in various studies targeting astrocytes. In this article, we summarize the neuroprotective function of astrocytes in the brain, involvement of astrocyte dysfunction in neurodegeneration, and experimental approaches to dopaminergic neuroprotection. We review findings reported in several papers including our own studies. We also address target molecules and pivotal pathways in astrocytes for dopaminergic neuroprotection. The review discusses new promising therapeutic strategies to prevent dopaminergic neurodegeneration in PD.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010300 Parkinson Disease A progressive, degenerative neurologic disease characterized by a TREMOR that is maximal at rest, retropulsion (i.e. a tendency to fall backwards), rigidity, stooped posture, slowness of voluntary movements, and a masklike facial expression. Pathologic features include loss of melanin containing neurons in the substantia nigra and other pigmented nuclei of the brainstem. LEWY BODIES are present in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus but may also be found in a related condition (LEWY BODY DISEASE, DIFFUSE) characterized by dementia in combination with varying degrees of parkinsonism. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1059, pp1067-75) Idiopathic Parkinson Disease,Lewy Body Parkinson Disease,Paralysis Agitans,Primary Parkinsonism,Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease,Lewy Body Parkinson's Disease,Parkinson Disease, Idiopathic,Parkinson's Disease,Parkinson's Disease, Idiopathic,Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body,Parkinsonism, Primary
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000066829 Neuroprotection The physiological processes and techniques used by the body to prevent neuronal injury and degeneration in the central nervous system following acute disorders or as a result of chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Neural Protection,Neuron Protection,Neuronal Protection,Protection, Neural,Protection, Neuron,Protection, Neuronal
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001253 Astrocytes A class of large neuroglial (macroglial) cells in the central nervous system - the largest and most numerous neuroglial cells in the brain and spinal cord. Astrocytes (from "star" cells) are irregularly shaped with many long processes, including those with "end feet" which form the glial (limiting) membrane and directly and indirectly contribute to the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER. They regulate the extracellular ionic and chemical environment, and "reactive astrocytes" (along with MICROGLIA) respond to injury. Astroglia,Astroglia Cells,Astroglial Cells,Astrocyte,Astroglia Cell,Astroglial Cell,Astroglias,Cell, Astroglia,Cell, Astroglial
D016503 Drug Delivery Systems Systems for the delivery of drugs to target sites of pharmacological actions. Technologies employed include those concerning drug preparation, route of administration, site targeting, metabolism, and toxicity. Drug Targeting,Delivery System, Drug,Delivery Systems, Drug,Drug Delivery System,Drug Targetings,System, Drug Delivery,Systems, Drug Delivery,Targeting, Drug,Targetings, Drug
D018696 Neuroprotective Agents Drugs intended to prevent damage to the brain or spinal cord from ischemia, stroke, convulsions, or trauma. Some must be administered before the event, but others may be effective for some time after. They act by a variety of mechanisms, but often directly or indirectly minimize the damage produced by endogenous excitatory amino acids. Neuroprotectant,Neuroprotective Agent,Neuroprotective Drug,Neuroprotectants,Neuroprotective Drugs,Neuroprotective Effect,Neuroprotective Effects,Agent, Neuroprotective,Agents, Neuroprotective,Drug, Neuroprotective,Drugs, Neuroprotective,Effect, Neuroprotective,Effects, Neuroprotective

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