Astrocytes:Therapeutic targets for stroke
Jingxiu Li1
Keyuan Gao1
Lili Wang2
Jiayue Wang3
Mian Qin3
Xinrui Wang1
Kai Lian1
Chao Li4
Shan'e Gao5
Chenxi Sun1
1.School of Life Science and Technology,Shandong Second Medical University,Weifang,Shandong Province,China2.Department of Operating Room,Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University,Shandong Second Medical University,Weifang,Shandong Province,China3.Department of Neurosurgery,Shanghai East Hospital,School of Medicine,Tongji University,Shanghai,China;NeuroRe Medical Technology Limited Company,Shanghai,China4.Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Medicine Center,Weifang People's Hospital,Shandong Second Medical University,Weifang,Shandong Province,China5.Department of Neurosurgery,Shanghai East Hospital,School of Medicine,Tongji University,Shanghai,China
摘要：Stroke is the leading cause of mortality globally,ultimately leading to severe,lifelong neurological impairments.Patients often suffer from a secondary cascade of damage,including neuroinflammation,cytotoxicity,oxidative stress,and mitochondrial dysfunction.Regrettably,there is a paucity of clinically available therapeutics to address these issues.Emerging evidence underscores the pivotal roles of astrocytes,the most abundant glial cells in the brain,throughout the various stages of ischemic stroke.In this comprehensive review,we initially provide an overview of the fundamental physiological functions of astrocytes in the brain,emphasizing their critical role in modulating neuronal homeostasis,synaptic activity,and blood-brain barrier integrity.We then delve into the growing body of evidence that highlights the functional diversity and heterogeneity of astrocytes in the context of ischemic stroke.Their well-established contributions to energy provision,metabolic regulation,and neurotransmitter homeostasis,as well as their emerging roles in mitochondrial recovery,neuroinflammation regulation,and oxidative stress modulation following ischemic injury,are discussed in detail.We also explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning these functions,with particular emphasis on recently identified targets within astrocytes that offer promising prospects for therapeutic intervention.In the final section of this review,we offer a detailed overview of the current therapeutic strategies targeting astrocytes in the treatment of ischemic stroke.These astrocyte-targeting strategies are categorized into traditional small-molecule drugs,microRNAs(miRNAs),stem cell-based therapies,cellular reprogramming,hydrogels,and extracellular vesicles.By summarizing the current understanding of astrocyte functions and therapeutic targeting approaches,we aim to highlight the critical roles of astrocytes during and after stroke,particularly in the pathophysiological development in ischemic stroke.We also emphasize promising avenues for novel,astrocyte-targeted therapeutics that could become clinically available options,ultimately improving outcomes for patients with stroke.
机标关键词：strokeastrocytestargetstherapeutic
论文发表日期：2026-03-30
在线出版日期：2026-03-18（本平台首次上网日期，不代表文献的发表时间）
页数：15( 1074-1088 )
英文信息