Contributions of Reactive Astrocytes to Alzheimer’s Disease Progression

Abstract

Astrocytes suffer profound molecular, functional, and morphological changes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), collectively termed reactive astrogliosis. Reactive astrocytes surround the two pathological hallmarks of AD—amyloid-b (Ab) plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles—but their role in AD progression remains controversial. Specifically, whether reactive astrocytes protect neurons and synapses from the toxic effects of Ab and tau aggregates, or acquire neurotoxic properties and contribute to neurodegeneration, or merely accompany the neurodegenerative process as bystanders has yet to be elucidated. We will discuss recent data from our lab highlighting the complexity of the reactive astrogliosis observed in AD. graphical_abstract_asp.pdf