Abstract
The role traditionally assigned to astrocytes in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions has been the formation of the glial scar once inflammation has subsided. Astrocytes are now recognized to be early and highly active players during lesion formation and key for providing peripheral immune cells access to the central nervous system. Here, we review the role of astrocytes in the formation and evolution of MS lesions, including the recently described functional polarization of astrocytes, discuss prototypical pathways for astrocyte activation, and summarize mechanisms by which MS treatments affect astrocyte function.
Highlights
The Role of Astrocytes in Multiple SclerosisThe role traditionally assigned to astrocytes in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions has been the formation of the glial scar once inflammation has subsided
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that targets the central nervous system (CNS) [1]
Astrocytes make up approximately 30% of glial cells in the CNS, where each astrocyte occupies a unique territory demarcated by non-overlapping, star-shaped processes that extend from the cell soma [25, 26]
Summary
The role traditionally assigned to astrocytes in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions has been the formation of the glial scar once inflammation has subsided. Astrocytes are recognized to be early and highly active players during lesion formation and key for providing peripheral immune cells access to the central nervous system. We review the role of astrocytes in the formation and evolution of MS lesions, including the recently described functional polarization of astrocytes, discuss prototypical pathways for astrocyte activation, and summarize mechanisms by which MS treatments affect astrocyte function. Reviewed by: Chiara Cordiglieri, Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare (INGM), Italy. Specialty section: This article was submitted to Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Immunology
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