Dysregulation of polarity proteins in astrocyte reactivity.

Abstract

Astrocytes are highly polarized neuroglial cells. Polarity is the basis for many of the diverse roles that astrocytes play in the normal and injured brain. Astrocytes are generally dormant and non-migratory under normal physiological conditions, where they perform a wide variety of intricate and essential tasks in preserving CNS homeostasis. In response to pathological insults, astrocytes shift from the normal dormant and homeostatic state to a reactive and migratory state through a process referred to as "reactive astrogliosis". Cell polarity proteins play a key role in the initiation and regulation of migration. Recent evidence suggests that cell polarity proteins are dysregulated during astrogliosis and may modulate astrocyte reactivity and alter the course of disease. Therefore, cell polarity proteins may provide novel therapeutic targets for modulating astrocyte reactivity in brain disorders.