Bidirectional Communication Between Microglia and Astrocytes in Neuroinflammation

Anup Bhusal, Ruqayya Afridi, Won Ha Lee, Kyoungho Suk

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/debate

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neuroinflammation is a common feature of diverse nervous system pathologies. In many instances, it begins at an early stage of the disease, paving the way for further exacerbations. The main drivers of neuroinflammation are brain-resident glial cells, such as microglia and astrocytes. Microglia are the primary responders to any insult to the brain parenchyma, translating the signals into diverse molecules. These molecules derived from microglia can regulate the stimuli-dependent reactivity of astrocytes. Once activated, astrocytes in turn, can control microglia phenotypes. Recent evidence indicates that the crosstalk between these glial cells plays an important role in delaying or accelerating neuroinflammation and overall disease progression. To date, various molecules have been recognized as key mediators of the bidirectional communication between microglia and astrocytes. The current review aims to discuss the novel molecules identified recently, which play a critical role in interglial crosstalk, highlighting their therapeutic potential.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2020-2029
Number of pages10
JournalCurrent Neuropharmacology
Volume21
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

Keywords

  • astrocytes
  • central nervous system
  • crosstalk
  • glia
  • Microglia
  • neuroinflammation

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