Astrocytes: New Targets for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases

The causes of neurodegenerative disorders are multiple, and for most of them a mechanistic understanding is still lacking. However, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson disease (PD) all share common features that include elevated oxidative stress levels and impaired energy metabolism in the nervous system. Most of the current treatments are only successful at alleviating some of the pathological symptoms, but fail at preventing neurodegeneration. There is therefore an urgent need for innovative and more efficient treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. We review here the central role played by astrocytes in the regulation of brain homeostasis, protection and function by supporting neuronal health and activity. In particular, astrocytes are key partners of neuronal metabolism, notably through activation of the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS). They also control the levels of extracellular glutamate, production of antioxidant molecules, disposal of neuronal waste products, storage of energy in the form of glycogen, and expression of neurotrophic factors. These mechanisms, which are key for brain activity and cognition, also largely contribute to neuronal degeneration in pathological situations. Thus, as astrocytes appear to play a key role in the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders, a growing interest has arisen for astrocyte-mediated pathways as targets for drugs that aim at treating the root causes of the pathology. We present here the most recent and promising astrocyte-based therapeutic approaches - from fundamental discoveries to clinical trials - that intent to sustain neuronal health and function in neurodegenerative disorders.