Work

Astrocytes protect dopaminergic neurons against aminochrome neurotoxicity

Year: 2022

Type: review

Abstract: Astrocytes protect neurons by modulating neuronal function and survival. Astrocytes support neurons in several ways. They provide energy through the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle, protect neurons from excitotoxicity, and internalize neuronal lipid droplets to degrade fatty acids for neuronal metabolic and synaptic support, as well as by their high capacity for glutamate uptake and the conversion of glutamate to glutamine. A recent reported astrocyte system for protection of dopamine neurons against the neurotoxic products of dopamine, such as aminochrome and other o-quinones, were generated under neuromelanin synthesis by oxidizing dopamine catechol structure. Astrocytes secrete glutathione transferase M2-2 through exosomes that transport this enzyme into dopaminergic neurons to protect these neurons against aminochrome neurotoxicity. The role of this new astrocyte protective mechanism in Parkinson´s disease is discussed.

Source: Neural Regeneration Research

DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.335690

Authors: Juan Segura-Aguilar, Bengt Mannervik, José Inzunza, Mukesh Varshney, Ivan Nalvarte, Patricia Muñoz

Institutions: University of Chile, Stockholm University, Karolinska Institutet, Universidad Mayor

Language: English

Topic: Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,500