Astrocyte Programs in Neuroprotection and Functional Recovery After CNS Injury

Traditionally seen as passive support cells, astrocytes are activated under various pathological conditions. Research of reactive astrocyte in the context of central nervous system (CNS) injury including traumatic and ischemic injuries has rapidly advanced over the past decade, revealing these glial cells as key players in neuroprotection and tissue repair. Reactive astrocytes are now increasingly recognized for their dynamic roles in responding to CNS injuries, modulating neuroinflammation, maintaining homeostasis, and influencing neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. Recent studies highlight not only the heterogeneity of astrocytic responses, but also the intricate molecular signaling pathways that mediate these effects. Despite these advances, there is a major gap in connecting specific astrocytic programs to predictable outcomes of functional recovery, especially in the context of human disorders. Ongoing debates focus on which phenotypic states of astrocytes are beneficial, the factors driving their diverse responses, and the translational potential of targeting astrocytic programs to improve outcomes after CNS injury.

This Research Topic aims to deepen the understanding of astrocyte or reactive astrocytes-mediated mechanisms underlying neuroprotection and functional recovery following CNS injury. The main objectives are to define the key molecular and cellular pathways activated in astrocytes after injury, elucidate how these responses modulate neural circuit repair, and clarify the interplay between reactive astrocytes and other CNS cell types such as neurons, microglia, and endothelial cells. We also seek to explore the potential for therapeutically harnessing or modulating specific astrocyte programs to optimize functional regeneration and recovery. Researchers are encouraged to address outstanding questions such as the regulatory factors driving astrocyte heterogeneity, the role of transcriptional and metabolic programs, and the impact of astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factors or metabolites on CNS resilience.

This Research Topic encompasses studies on astrocyte adaptations and signaling following various injuries of the CNS, but is focused broadly on molecular and functional consequences relevant to neuroprotection and repair. Both basic and translational approaches are welcome, as are diverse model systems that inform clinically relevant mechanisms. To gather further insights in reactive astrocyte-driven neuroprotection and CNS recovery, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Molecular signaling pathways and transcriptional regulation in reactive astrocytes after injury
• Astrocyte-neuron and astrocyte-microglia interactions in the injured CNS
• Role of astrocytic metabolic and bioenergetic adaptations in neuroprotection
• Cellular mechanisms controlling astrocyte heterogeneity and plasticity during recovery
• Targeting astrocyte responses for improved outcomes in animal models or clinical settings
• Imaging and biomarker discovery for tracking astrocytic programs post-injury
• Sex- and age-dependent differences in astrocyte-mediated recovery
• Interventional strategies and therapeutics that modulate astrocyte function for CNS repair

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Specialty Grand Challenge
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: astrocytes, neuroprotection, CNS injury, functional recovery, reactive gliosis

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.