Key Role of Astrocytes in Postnatal Brain and Retinal Angiogenesis

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Pablo J. Tapia¹  Mariela Puebla²  Hilda Espinoza³ 

[1] Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Av. Lota 2465, Providencia, Santiago 7500000, Chile;Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Facultad de Medicina-Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Av. Plaza 680, Las Condes, Santiago 7550000, Chile;Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Alba, Av. Ejército Libertador 171, Santiago 8320000, Chile;

关键词: brain angiogenesis;    retinal angiogenesis;    astrocytes;    endothelial cells;    extracellular matrix;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms23052646

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Angiogenesis is a key process in various physiological and pathological conditions in the nervous system and in the retina during postnatal life. Although an increasing number of studies have addressed the role of endothelial cells in this event, the astrocytes contribution in angiogenesis has received less attention. This review is focused on the role of astrocytes as a scaffold and in the stabilization of the new blood vessels, through different molecules release, which can modulate the angiogenesis process in the brain and in the retina. Further, differences in the astrocytes phenotype are addressed in glioblastoma, one of the most devastating types of brain cancer, in order to provide potential targets involved in the cross signaling between endothelial cells, astrocytes and glioma cells, that mediate tumor progression and pathological angiogenesis. Given the relevance of astrocytes in angiogenesis in physiological and pathological conditions, future studies are required to better understand the interrelation between endothelial and astrocyte signaling pathways during this process.

【 授权许可】

Unknown