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Astrocytes in Huntington's Disease.

Michelle Gray1

  • 1Department of Neurology and Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Ave S, CIRC 425B, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. mccgray@uabmc.edu.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|October 5, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Huntington's disease (HD) involves brain cell dysfunction due to a genetic mutation. Astrocytes, non-neuronal cells, are increasingly recognized for their role in HD progression and pathology.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the HTT gene, leading to motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms.
  • While neuronal dysfunction is well-studied, non-neuronal cells like astrocytes also express the mutant HTT (mHTT) protein and contribute to HD pathogenesis.
  • Research on the role of astrocytes in HD has gained momentum in recent years, shifting focus beyond solely neuronal contributions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of Huntington's disease and the current understanding of astrocyte involvement.
  • To detail the neuropathological features of HD, specifically focusing on changes in astrocytes.
  • To review evidence implicating astrocytes expressing mHTT in HD progression.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on HD neuropathology.
  • Analysis of morphological and molecular changes in astrocytes expressing mutant HTT.
  • Examination of data from animal models and human patients.

Main Results:

  • Mutant HTT protein is present in various cell types, including astrocytes, throughout the nervous system.
  • Astrocytes exhibit morphological and molecular alterations in the context of HD.
  • Evidence from models and patients suggests mHTT-expressing astrocytes contribute to HD progression.

Conclusions:

  • Astrocytes play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease.
  • Understanding astrocyte involvement is crucial for a comprehensive view of HD.
  • Further research into mHTT effects on astrocytes may reveal new therapeutic targets.