Modulation of Glial Function in Health, Aging, and Neurodegenerative Disease
In the central nervous system (CNS), glial cells, such as microglia and astrocytes, are normally associated with support roles including contributions to energy metabolism, synaptic plasticity, and ion homeostasis. In addition to providing support for neurons, microglia and astrocytes function as th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2021.718324/full |
| _version_ | 1818732025448759296 |
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| author | Kendra L. Hanslik Kaitlyn M. Marino Tyler K. Ulland Tyler K. Ulland |
| author_facet | Kendra L. Hanslik Kaitlyn M. Marino Tyler K. Ulland Tyler K. Ulland |
| author_sort | Kendra L. Hanslik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the central nervous system (CNS), glial cells, such as microglia and astrocytes, are normally associated with support roles including contributions to energy metabolism, synaptic plasticity, and ion homeostasis. In addition to providing support for neurons, microglia and astrocytes function as the resident immune cells in the brain. The glial function is impacted by multiple aspects including aging and local CNS changes caused by neurodegeneration. During aging, microglia and astrocytes display alterations in their homeostatic functions. For example, aged microglia and astrocytes exhibit impairments in the lysosome and mitochondrial function as well as in their regulation of synaptic plasticity. Recent evidence suggests that glia can also alter the pathology associated with many neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Shifts in the microbiome can impact glial function as well. Disruptions in the microbiome can lead to aberrant microglial and astrocytic reactivity, which can contribute to an exacerbation of disease and neuronal dysfunction. In this review, we will discuss the normal physiological functions of microglia and astrocytes, summarize novel findings highlighting the role of glia in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, and examine the contribution of microglia and astrocytes to disease progression. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T23:27:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0dcf126b6b254f019a96f28cb7fe6915 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-5102 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T23:27:01Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-0dcf126b6b254f019a96f28cb7fe69152022-12-21T21:28:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience1662-51022021-08-011510.3389/fncel.2021.718324718324Modulation of Glial Function in Health, Aging, and Neurodegenerative DiseaseKendra L. Hanslik0Kaitlyn M. Marino1Tyler K. Ulland2Tyler K. Ulland3Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United StatesNeuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United StatesNeuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United StatesDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United StatesIn the central nervous system (CNS), glial cells, such as microglia and astrocytes, are normally associated with support roles including contributions to energy metabolism, synaptic plasticity, and ion homeostasis. In addition to providing support for neurons, microglia and astrocytes function as the resident immune cells in the brain. The glial function is impacted by multiple aspects including aging and local CNS changes caused by neurodegeneration. During aging, microglia and astrocytes display alterations in their homeostatic functions. For example, aged microglia and astrocytes exhibit impairments in the lysosome and mitochondrial function as well as in their regulation of synaptic plasticity. Recent evidence suggests that glia can also alter the pathology associated with many neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Shifts in the microbiome can impact glial function as well. Disruptions in the microbiome can lead to aberrant microglial and astrocytic reactivity, which can contribute to an exacerbation of disease and neuronal dysfunction. In this review, we will discuss the normal physiological functions of microglia and astrocytes, summarize novel findings highlighting the role of glia in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, and examine the contribution of microglia and astrocytes to disease progression.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2021.718324/fullastrocytesmicrogliaagingneurodegenerationgliaAlzheimer’s disease |
| spellingShingle | Kendra L. Hanslik Kaitlyn M. Marino Tyler K. Ulland Tyler K. Ulland Modulation of Glial Function in Health, Aging, and Neurodegenerative Disease Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience astrocytes microglia aging neurodegeneration glia Alzheimer’s disease |
| title | Modulation of Glial Function in Health, Aging, and Neurodegenerative Disease |
| title_full | Modulation of Glial Function in Health, Aging, and Neurodegenerative Disease |
| title_fullStr | Modulation of Glial Function in Health, Aging, and Neurodegenerative Disease |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modulation of Glial Function in Health, Aging, and Neurodegenerative Disease |
| title_short | Modulation of Glial Function in Health, Aging, and Neurodegenerative Disease |
| title_sort | modulation of glial function in health aging and neurodegenerative disease |
| topic | astrocytes microglia aging neurodegeneration glia Alzheimer’s disease |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2021.718324/full |
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