About this Research Topic
Glia have an important role in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease, (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Glial cells are the main cell population in the Nervous System, with different types of glial cells, such as astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes and neuron-glial antigen-2 (NG2 glia). Glia have critical roles in neuronal function such as surrounding neurons and holding them in place, supplying them with nutrients and oxygen, insulating neurons from each other, and removing pathogens and dead neurons.
In neurodegenerative disorders, the involvements of glial cells in disease pathogenesis have been well documented. For instance, there is microglial activation at the early stages of PD, and oligodendrocyte dysfunction in MS. The dysregulation of glial cells is a common and key feature in neurodegenerative disorders, which is tightly associated with disease pathogenesis. With the development of new techniques, new glia-related genes have been identified. It becomes possible to discover new types of glial cells and identify the molecules in association with neurodegenerative diseases using single-cell analysis. Up to date, there is no restorative treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. It is therefore important to determine the mechanisms by which glial dysfunction occurs and how glia induce neuronal damage. The determination of the mechanisms and molecules that are related to disease pathogenesis will lead to new therapeutic strategies.
This research topic aims to collect high-quality reviews, original research articles and perspectives that reveal the roles of glial cells in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on but not limited to:
(1) The role of astrocyte, microglia, oligodendrocyte, NG2, etc. in neurodegeneration;
(2) Spatial and temporal diversity of glial phenotypes in neurodegenerative disorders;
(3) The regulation of glial cells in neurodegeneration;
(4) The pathological role of glia in neurodegenerative disorders;
(5) Immunological functions of glia in neurodegenerative disorders;
(6) Single-cell analysis of glial modulation in neurodegenerative disease models;
(7) Therapeutic strategies and clinical interventions by the modulation of glial cell function in neurodegeneration.
Keywords: Glia, Neurodegenerative Disorders, Astrocytes, Microglia, Gliosis, Pathogenesis, Inflammation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
