Title:Role of Astrogliosis in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease: Insights
into Astrocytic Nrf2 Pathway as a Potential Therapeutic Target
Volume: 23
Issue: 8
Author(s): Bharat Bhushan and Niraj Kumar Singh*
Affiliation:
- Division of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, NH-19, Mathura-Delhi Road,
Chaumuhan, Mathura 281406, U.P. India
Keywords:
Parkinson’s disease, astrocyte, astrogliosis, Nrf2, α-synuclein, neuroprotection.
Abstract: Recently, Parkinson’s disease (PD) has become a remarkable burden on families and society
with an acceleration of population aging having several pathological hallmarks such as dopaminergic
neuronal loss of the substantia nigra pars compacta, α-synucleinopathy, neuroinflammation,
autophagy, last but not the least astrogliosis. Astrocyte, star-shaped glial cells perform notable
physiological functions in the brain through several molecular and cellular mechanisms including
nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. It has been well established that
the downregulation of the astrocytic Nrf2 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis
of PD because it is a master regulator of cellular defense mechanism along with a regulator of numerous
detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes gene expression. Fascinatingly, upregulation of the astrocytic
Nrf2 signaling pathway attenuates the degeneration of nigrostriatal neurons, restores neuronal
proliferation, rejuvenates astrocytic functions, and exhibits neuroprotective effects via numerous
cellular and molecular mechanisms in the PD-like brain of the experimental animal. Here, we
discuss the numerous in-vitro and in-vivo studies that evaluate the neuroprotective potential of the
astrocytic Nrf2 signaling pathway against experimentally-induced PD-like manifestation. In conclusion,
based on available preclinical reports, it can be assumed that the astrocytic Nrf2 signaling
pathway could be an alternative target in the drug discovery process for the prevention, management,
and treatment of PD.