Glial Plasticity and Dysfunction: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Opportunities in Neurodegeneration - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #glial cells
- #therapeutic strategies
- #neurodegeneration
- Recent technologies like single-cell transcriptomics and in vivo imaging have revealed the diversity and adaptability of glial cells, including astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells.
- Glial cells play dual roles in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration, involved in synaptic regulation, metabolic support, and immune responses in the central nervous system.
- The review focuses on glial mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and multiple sclerosis, highlighting metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, and extracellular vesicle signaling.
- Emerging therapeutic strategies include glial reprogramming, senolytic therapies, engineered extracellular vesicles, and metabolic modulators to harness glial plasticity for disease intervention.
- Challenges in translating glial biology to clinical practice include cellular heterogeneity, delivery barriers, and the need for specific biomarkers to advance a glia-centered therapeutic approach.