Mina Peric, Dinko Mitrecic and Pavle R. Andjus* Pages 5037 - 5044 ( 8 )
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disorder affecting upper and lower motoneurons. The two types, sporadic and familial differ in the aetiopathogenesis but have a similar neuropathology characterized by oxidative stress, excitotoxicity and inflammation. The disease is also characterized by a non-cell autonomous mechanism with astrocytes playing a central role by affecting synaptic glutamate, the blood-brain barrier, and metabolic and trophic support. Two types of therapeutic approaches focusing on astrocytes are presented: a) emerging molecular targets (potassium inward rectifier channels and aquaporins at the astrocyte endfeet, and IP3 receptor signaling pathway), and b) cell therapy with stem cell - generated and transplanted astrocytes.
Blood-brain barrier, astrocyte, endfeet, Kir4.1, AQP4, IP3 receptor pathway, stem cells, cell transplantation.
Center for Laser Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Center for Laser Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade