Progress of Astrocyte-Neuron Crosstalk in Central Nervous System Diseases

Abstract

Neurons are the primary cells responsible for information processing in the central nervous system (CNS). However, they are vulnerable to damage and insult in a variety of neurological disorders. As the most abundant glial cells in the brain, astrocytes provide crucial support to neurons and participate in synapse formation, synaptic transmission, neurotransmitter recycling, regulation of metabolic processes, and the maintenance of the blood-brain barrier integrity. Though astrocytes play a significant role in the manifestation of injury and disease, they do not work in isolation. Cellular interactions between astrocytes and neurons are essential for maintaining the homeostasis of the CNS under both physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, we explore the diverse interactions between astrocytes and neurons under physiological conditions, including the exchange of neurotrophic factors, gliotransmitters, and energy substrates, and different CNS diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and multiple sclerosis. This review sheds light on the contribution of astrocyte-neuron crosstalk to the progression of neurological diseases to provide potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurological diseases.