A Focus on Astrocyte Contribution to Parkinson’s Disease Etiology

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease of high prevalence, characterized by the prominent death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which produces dopamine deficiency, leading to classic motor symptoms. Although PD has traditionally been considered as a neuronal cell autonomous pathology, in which the damage of vulnerable neurons is responsible for the disease, growing evidence strongly suggests that astrocytes might have an active role in the neurodegeneration observed. In the present review, we discuss several studies evidencing astrocyte implications in PD, highlighting the consequences of both the loss of normal homeostatic functions and the gain in toxic functions for the wellbeing of dopaminergic neurons. The revised information provides significant evidence that allows astrocytes to be positioned as crucial players in PD etiology, a factor that needs to be taken into account when considering therapeutic targets for the treatment of the disease.

Infectious Microorganisms Seen as Etiologic Agents in Parkinson’s Disease

“…Moreover, astrocytes seem to have a small function. There is insufficient proof of notable astrocytic activation in the substantia nigra of people with Parkinson’s disease [ 33 ]. Myelo-peroxidase, an oxidant-producing enzyme that might harm dopamine neurons, is released by astrocytes, and it has been suggested that astrocytes could control microglial multiplication by releasing the cytokine granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) [ 34 ].…”

Kinetic Properties and Pharmacological Modulation of High- and Low-Affinity Dopamine Transport in Striatal Astrocytes of Adult Rats

“…The nigrostriatal pathway, originating in the substantia nigra pars compacta and projecting to the striatum, plays a critical role in motor control [8]. Disruptions in this pathway, primarily DA depletion in the striatum due to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, are implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD) [9,10]. Astrocyte activation, a process defined as reactive astrogliosis, has been linked to the progression of PD [10,11].…”

“…Disruptions in this pathway, primarily DA depletion in the striatum due to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, are implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD) [9,10]. Astrocyte activation, a process defined as reactive astrogliosis, has been linked to the progression of PD [10,11]. While the role of astrocytes in PD has been explored [12], their specific contributions to DA clearance, synthesis, storage and responses to DA and dopaminergic drugs in the striatum remain enigmatic.…”