Astrocytes are glial cells that responsible for multiple processes in the central nervous system (CNS) under both health and disease conditions. In the normal physical condition, they are the key constituents of the glia limitans and play important roles in the formation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is responsible for maintaining the tightly regulated CNS microenvironment. Furthermore, astrocytes secrete neurotrophic factors to regulate synaptogenesis, neuronal differentiation, and neuronal survival. After brain injury, astrocytes are known to undergo heterogeneous and progressive changes of gene expression, morphology, proliferative capacity and function through a process referred to as reactive astrogliosis.
Stroke, which includes hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke, is a life-threatening neurological disease with a high mortality and morbidity rate. After a stroke, astrocytes modulate their activities in neuroinflammation, BBB function, glymphatic-cerebrospinal fluid exchange, neuron survival and synapse plasticity in different cellular microenvironments in response to the damage. However, the underlying function of astrocytes in stroke is still far from fully understood and sometimes controversial. Understanding the roles of astrocytes in stroke may provide new insights into developing novel therapeutic approaches to test alongside neuronal rescue and repair strategies.
In this Research Topic, we welcome original research and review articles related to the role of astrocytes in stroke, from underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms to clinical translational applications. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Astrocytes activation and proliferation after stroke.
- Astrocyte-neuron and astrocyte-microglia interactions after stroke.
- Astrocyte mediated BBB function and glymphatic function after stroke.
- Molecular mechanisms which regulate the activity of astrocytes during the stroke.
- Synaptic plasticity induced by astrocytic mediators or transporters after stroke.
Astrocytes are glial cells that responsible for multiple processes in the central nervous system (CNS) under both health and disease conditions. In the normal physical condition, they are the key constituents of the glia limitans and play important roles in the formation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is responsible for maintaining the tightly regulated CNS microenvironment. Furthermore, astrocytes secrete neurotrophic factors to regulate synaptogenesis, neuronal differentiation, and neuronal survival. After brain injury, astrocytes are known to undergo heterogeneous and progressive changes of gene expression, morphology, proliferative capacity and function through a process referred to as reactive astrogliosis.
Stroke, which includes hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke, is a life-threatening neurological disease with a high mortality and morbidity rate. After a stroke, astrocytes modulate their activities in neuroinflammation, BBB function, glymphatic-cerebrospinal fluid exchange, neuron survival and synapse plasticity in different cellular microenvironments in response to the damage. However, the underlying function of astrocytes in stroke is still far from fully understood and sometimes controversial. Understanding the roles of astrocytes in stroke may provide new insights into developing novel therapeutic approaches to test alongside neuronal rescue and repair strategies.
In this Research Topic, we welcome original research and review articles related to the role of astrocytes in stroke, from underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms to clinical translational applications. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Astrocytes activation and proliferation after stroke.
- Astrocyte-neuron and astrocyte-microglia interactions after stroke.
- Astrocyte mediated BBB function and glymphatic function after stroke.
- Molecular mechanisms which regulate the activity of astrocytes during the stroke.
- Synaptic plasticity induced by astrocytic mediators or transporters after stroke.