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Insight into astrocyte activation after optic nerve injury
Author(s) -
Yang XiTao,
Huang GuoHui,
Feng DongFu,
Chen Kui
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.23487
Subject(s) - astrocyte , neuroscience , optic nerve , retina , glial scar , central nervous system , medicine , biology
In response to optic nerve damage, astrocytes become reactive. This reactivity can be identified by the presence of morphological and molecular changes throughout the retina and optic nerve as well as the formation of a glial scar. The process of astrocyte activation exhibits spatial and temporal characteristics, and it is finely regulated by complex signaling mechanisms. Excessive astrocyte activation plays a crucial role in progressive optic nerve injury. This review focuses on the spatial and temporal characteristics and mechanisms of astrocyte activation and discusses the modulation of astrocyte activation. Further insight into astrocyte activation might provide targets for future therapeutic interventions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.