About this Research Topic

Background

The dynamic interactions between astrocytes and blood vessels in physiological and pathological conditions have long been of interest to researchers. Mechanisms for glial cell colonization must result in specific cell-cell interactions that are critical for glial function and vessel homeostasis. Cerebrovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, becoming a public health threat. Furthermore, without optimal clinical care, retinal vascular disorders are the leading cause of blindness. Astrocytes play an important role in the formation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and neovascularization, the breakdown of which disrupts the tightly regulated CNS microenvironment. Conversely, the astrocyte differentiation, maturation, activation and aging are closely related to the physiological and pathological status of vessels, which are crucial in glial-vascular unit formation and disorders.

Vascular aging is one of the main risk factors for human health, and it is associated with the pathologic processes of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), and even glaucoma. CNS vascular aging is influenced by genetic, mechanical, hemodynamic and glial factors. Abnormal physical, chemical and biological interactions of astrocyte-vessel and microglia-astrocyte may result in vascular aging, the causes of which are still under investigation. Understanding how cell-type-specific aging genes participate in the aging process provides new insight into the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for vascular aging-related diseases.

In this research topic, we welcome original research articles that aim to broaden our current understanding of the role of astrocytes in vascular aging, properties of reactive astrocytes in cerebral, retinal and spinal vascular, potential therapeutic strategies rescuing astrocyte-vessel crosstalk. Furthermore, the call is open for theoretical approaches such as Reviews, Perspective, and Opinion articles on promising future directions.

This Research Topic is widely open to contributions that target the following topics:
- Hallmarks of CNS astrocyte-vascular aging (molecular markers, genetic or epigenetic factors, morphological phenotypes, etc.)
- Identification of novel specific astrocyte-vascular aging genetic markers
- Finding how genes that change as astrocytic aging or vascular aging correlated with AD, PD, AMD, glaucoma and spinal injury.
- Astrocyte-mediated BBB or BRB function and glymphatic function.
- Molecular mechanisms underlying the cross-talk of astrocyte and vascular aging.
- Exploring potential treatment options for vascular aging-related diseases by targeting astrocyte, vice-versa.
- Review and perspective articles that discuss up-to-date advances and perspectives of the role of astrocytes in vascular aging.
- Novel animal models for studying the role of astrocyte-vessel interplay in vascular aging.

Keywords: Astrocytes, vascular aging, Astroglia-vascular cross talk and diseases, BBB, Therapeutic Strategies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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