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Updated: Sep 1, 2025

A Novel In Vitro Live-imaging Assay of Astrocyte-mediated Phagocytosis Using pH Indicator-conjugated Synaptosomes
Published on: February 5, 2018
The Emerging Role of Astrocytic Autophagy in Central Nervous System Disorders
Zhuchen Zhou1, Jing Zhou1, Jie Liao2
1Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Abstract:
Astrocytes act as "housekeeping cells" for maintaining cerebral homeostasis and play an important role in many disorders. Recent studies further highlight the contribution of autophagy to astrocytic functions, including astrogenesis, the astrocytic removal of neurotoxins or stressors, and astrocytic polarization. More importantly, genetic and pharmacological approaches have provided evidence that outlines the contributions of astrocytic autophagy to several brain disorders, including neurodegeneration, cerebral ischemia, and depression. In this study, we summarize the emerging role of autophagy in regulating astrocytic functions and discuss the contributions of astrocytic autophagy to different CNS disorders.
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