Increased production of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) and altered processing of tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are associated with synaptic dysfunction, neuronal death and cognitive and behavioural deficits. Neuroinflammation is also a prominent feature of AD brain and considerable evidence indicates that inflammatory events play a significant role in modulating the progression of AD. The role of microglia in AD inflammation has long been acknowledged. Substantial evidence now demonstrates that astrocyte-mediated inflammatory responses also influence pathology development, synapse health and neurodegeneration in AD. Several anti-inflammatory therapies targeting astrocytes show significant benefit in models of disease, particularly with respect to tau-associated neurodegeneration. However, the effectiveness of these approaches is complex, since modulating inflammatory pathways often has opposing effects on the development of tau and amyloid pathology, and is dependent on the precise phenotype and activities of astrocytes in different cellular environments. An increased understanding of interactions between astrocytes and neurons under different conditions is required for the development of safe and effective astrocyte-based therapies for AD and related neurodegenerative diseases.

Astrocytes modulate many aspects of neuronal function, including synapse formation and the response to injury. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) mediate some of the effects of astrocytes on synaptic function, and participate in the astrocyte-mediated brain injury response. HSPGs are a highly conserved class of proteoglycans, with variable heparan sulfate (HS) chains that play a major role in determining the function of these proteins, such as binding to growth factors and receptors. Expression of both the core proteins and their HS chains can vary depending on cellular origin, thus the functional impact of HSPGs may be determined by the cell type in which they are expressed. In the brain, HSPGs are expressed by both neurons and astrocytes; however, the specific contribution of neuronal HSPGs compared with astrocyte-derived HSPGs to development and the injury response is largely unknown. The present review examines the current evidence regarding the roles of HSPGs in the brain, describes the cellular origins of HSPGs, and interrogates the roles of HSPGs from astrocytes and neurons in synaptogenesis and injury. The importance of considering cell-type-specific expression of HSPGs when studying brain function is discussed.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the aggregation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) into β-sheet-rich fibrils. Although plaques containing Aβ fibrils have been viewed as the conventional hallmark of AD, recent research implicates small oligomeric species formed during the aggregation of Aβ in the neuronal toxicity and cognitive deficits associated with AD. We have demonstrated that oligomers, but not monomers, of Aβ 40 and Aβ 42 were found to induce calcium signalling in astrocytes but not in neurons. This cell specificity was dependent on the higher cholesterol level in the membrane of astrocytes compared with neurons. The Aβ-induced calcium signal stimulated NADPH oxidase and induced increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. These events are detectable at physiologically relevant concentrations of Aβ. Excessive ROS production and Ca 2+ overload induced mitochondrial depolarization through activation of the DNA repairing enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and opening mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). Aβ significantly reduced the level of GSH in both astrocytes and neurons, an effect which is dependent on external calcium. Thus Aβ induces a [Ca 2+ ] c signal in astrocytes which could regulate the GSH level in co-cultures that in the area of excessive ROS production could be a trigger for neurotoxicity. The pineal hormone melatonin, the glycoprotein clusterin and regulation of the membrane cholesterol can modify Aβ-induced calcium signals, ROS production and mitochondrial depolarization, which eventually lead to neuroprotection.

Astrocytic glycogen degradation is an important factor in metabolic support of brain function, particularly during increased neuronal firing. In this context, glycogen is commonly thought of as a source for the provision of energy substrates, such as lactate, to neurons. However, the signalling pathways eliciting glycogen degradation inside astrocytes are themselves energy-demanding processes, a fact that has been emphasized in recent studies, demonstrating dependence of these signalling mechanisms on glycogenolytic ATP.

Astrocytes were historically classified as supporting cells; however, it is becoming increasingly clear that they actively contribute to neuronal functioning under normal and pathological conditions. As interest in the contribution of neuroinflammation to Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression has grown, manipulating glial cells has become an attractive target for future therapies. Astrocytes have largely been under-represented in studies that assess the role of glia in these processes, despite substantial evidence of astrogliosis in AD. The actual role of astrocytes in AD remains elusive, as they seem to adopt different functions dependent on disease progression and the extent of accompanying parenchymal inflammation. Astrocytes may contribute to the clearance of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) and restrict the spread of inflammation in the brain. Conversely, they may contribute to neurodegeneration in AD by releasing neurotoxins and neglecting crucial metabolic roles. The present review summarizes current evidence on the multi-faceted functions of astrocytes in AD, highlighting the significant scope available for future therapeutic targets.

Maintaining brain function during aging is very important for mental and physical health. Recent studies showed a crucial importance of communication between two major types of brain cells: neurons transmitting electrical signals, and glial cells, which maintain the well-being and function of neurons. Still, the study of age-related changes in neuron–glia signalling is far from complete. We have shown previously that cortical astrocytes are capable of releasing ATP by a quantal soluble N -ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex-dependent mechanism. Release of ATP from cortical astrocytes can be activated via various pathways, including direct UV-uncaging of intracellular Ca 2+ or G-protein-coupled receptors. Importantly, release of both ATP and glutamate from neocortical astrocytes was not observed in brain slices of dominant-negative SNARE (dnSNARE) mice, expressing dnSNARE domain selectively in astrocytes. We also discovered that astrocyte-driven ATP can cause significant attenuation of synaptic inhibition in the pyramidal neurons via Ca 2+ -interaction between the neuronal ATP and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. Furthermore, we showed that astrocyte-derived ATP can facilitate the induction of long-term potentiation of synaptic plasticity in the neocortex. Our recent data have shown that an age-related decrease in the astroglial Ca 2+ signalling can cause a substantial decrease in the exocytosis of gliotransmitters, in particular ATP. Age-related impairment of ATP release from cortical astrocytes can cause a decrease in the extent of astroglial modulation of synaptic transmission in the neocortex and can therefore contribute to the age-related impairment of synaptic plasticity and cognitive decline. Combined, our results strongly support the physiological relevance of glial exocytosis for glia–neuron communications and brain function.

Neurons are more vulnerable to oxidative stress than astrocytes, the reasons for which have yet to be fully elucidated. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms which contribute to this enhanced vulnerability is key to efforts aimed at ameliorating neuronal health and resilience to oxidative stress, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative disease, which is characterized by progressive dysfunction and loss of neurons specifically, and in which oxidative stress is considered a central aetiological contributor. Biological factors which may influence neuronal susceptibility to oxidative stress, in normal and neurodegenerative contexts, are reviewed in the present article, with a focus on properties intrinsic to the neuronal cell type and on properties related to neuronal reliance on surrounding astrocytes.

Astrocytes are considered key regulators of the iron metabolism of the brain. These cells are able to rapidly accumulate iron ions and various iron-containing compounds, store iron efficiently in ferritin and also export iron. The present short review summarizes our current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the handling of iron by astrocytes. Cultured astrocytes efficiently take up iron as ferrous or ferric iron ions or as haem by specific iron transport proteins in their cell membrane. In addition, astrocytes accumulate large amounts of iron oxide nanoparticles by endocytotic mechanisms. Despite the rapid accumulation of high amounts of iron from various iron-containing sources, the viability of astrocytes is hardly affected. A rather slow liberation of iron from accumulated haem or iron oxide nanoparticles as well as the strong up-regulation of the synthesis of the iron storage protein ferritin are likely to contribute to the high resistance of astrocytes to iron toxicity. The efficient uptake of extracellular iron by cultured astrocytes as well as their strong up-regulation of ferritin after iron exposure also suggests that brain astrocytes deal well with an excess of iron and protect the brain against iron-mediated toxicity.

The multifunctional properties of astrocytes signify their importance in brain physiology and neurological function. In addition to defining the brain architecture, astrocytes are primary elements of brain ion, pH and neurotransmitter homoeostasis. GS (glutamine synthetase), which catalyses the ATP-dependent condensation of ammonia and glutamate to form glutamine, is an enzyme particularly found in astrocytes. GS plays a pivotal role in glutamate and glutamine homoeostasis, orchestrating astrocyte glutamate uptake/release and the glutamate–glutamine cycle. Furthermore, astrocytes bear the brunt of clearing ammonia in the brain, preventing neurotoxicity. The present review depicts the central function of astrocytes, concentrating on the importance of GS in glutamate/glutamine metabolism and ammonia detoxification in health and disease.

The importance of communication between neuronal and glial cells for brain function is recognized by a modern concept of ‘tripartite synapse’. Astrocytes enwrap synapses and can modulate their activity by releasing gliotransmitters such as ATP, glutamate and D -serine. One of the regulatory pathways in the tripartite synapse is mediated by P2X purinoreceptors. Release of ATP from synaptic terminals and astrocytes activates Ca 2+ influx via P2X purinoreceptors which co-localize with NMDA ( N -methyl- D -aspartate) and GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) receptors and can modulate their activity via intracellular cascades which involve phosphatase II and PKA (protein kinase A).

Two decades ago, patients lacking circulating serum ceruloplasmin (Cp) presented with neurodegeneration associated with brain iron accumulation. These patients, with mutations in the MCO (multi-copper oxidase), Cp, revealed an essential role for Cp in iron homoeostasis. The patients were diagnosed in adulthood with CNS (central nervous system) disease and progressed rapidly, making understanding the mechanism of disease imperative. We now know that (i) Cp regulates the efficiency of iron efflux, (ii) Cp stabilizes ferroportin membrane expression, (iii) GPI (glycosylphosphatidylinositol)-linked Cp is the predominant form expressed in brain, (iv) Cp functions as a ferroxidase and regulates the oxidation of Fe 2+ to Fe 3+ , (v) Cp does not bind to transferrin directly, and (vi) Cp is one member of a family of mammalian MCOs, which includes hephaestin. It is still unclear how an absence of Cp results in neurodegeneration: is the iron accumulation a primary or secondary injury? Although it is attractive to invoke an iron-mediated oxidative stress mechanism for the neuronal injury and degeneration in aceruloplasminaemia, our data suggest limited redox injury in the brains of mice lacking MCO. In fact, we propose a role for neuronal iron starvation with associated astrocyte and microglial iron overload. With the defect in aceruloplasminaemia being one of inefficient iron efflux from macrophages, we believe that the iron is trapped in a compartment not readily available to participate in oxyradical injury. It is likely that different mechanisms of neuronal cell protection are offered by astrocytes and microglia, and, once these cells are damaged, neuronal survival is compromised.

NO (nitric oxide) participates in a considerable number of physiological functions. At the biochemical level, most of its actions can be ascribed to its ability to bind, and activate, soluble guanylate cyclase. However, mounting evidence now strongly suggests that the NO-mediated inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase, the terminal complex of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, may be a further step of a cell signalling process involved in the regulation of important cellular functions. In most cells, including neurons and astrocytes, NO reversibly, and irreversibly, modulates O 2 consumption, a phenomenon through which NO signals certain pathways relevant for neuronal survival. Here, we propose that besides the control of mitochondrial bioenergetics, NO finely modulates the balance between glucose consumption through the glycolytic pathway and the pentose phosphate pathway in neurons. This may have implications for our understanding of the mechanisms of neurodegeneration due to oxidative and nitrosative stress.

The CNS (central nervous system) has a unique pattern of immune response to infection. TB (tuberculosis) of the CNS is devastating with widespread tissue destruction. In TB, astrocyte–leucocyte interactions are key in regulating MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) activity and are regulated by complex signalling pathways. A synergistic interaction between interferon γ and monocyte-derived mediators drives high-level astrocyte MMP-9 secretion; this and other networking effects are inhibited by steroids. Better understanding of regulatory mechanisms may identify potential switch points that could be future therapeutic targets.