Transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms underlying astrocyte identity

Maria Angeliki S. Pavlou, Luc Grandbarbe, Noel J. Buckley, Simone P. Niclou, Alessandro Michelucci*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Astrocytes play a significant role in coordinating neural development and provide critical support for the function of the CNS. They possess important adaptation capacities that range from their transition towards reactive astrocytes to their ability to undergo reprogramming, thereby revealing their potential to retain latent features of neural progenitor cells. We propose that the mechanisms underlying reactive astrogliosis or astrocyte reprogramming provide an opportunity for initiating neuronal regeneration, a process that is notably reduced in the mammalian nervous system throughout evolution. Conversely, this plasticity may also affect normal astrocytic functions resulting in pathologies ranging from neurodevelopmental disorders to neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors. We postulate that epigenetic mechanisms linking extrinsic cues and intrinsic transcriptional programs are key factors to maintain astrocyte identity and function, and critically, to control the balance of regenerative and degenerative activity. Here, we will review the main evidences supporting this concept. We propose that unravelling the epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms underlying the acquisition of astrocyte identity and plasticity, as well as understanding how these processes are modulated by the local microenvironment under specific threatening or pathological conditions, may pave the way to new therapeutic avenues for several neurological disorders including neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors of astrocytic lineage.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)36-52
Number of pages17
JournalProgress in Neurobiology
Volume174
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2019

Keywords

  • Astrocyte differentiation
  • Epigenetic modifications
  • Reactive astrogliosis
  • Transcriptional mechanisms

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms underlying astrocyte identity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this