Astroglial Connexins in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Astrocytes play a crucial role in the maintenance of normal functions Central Nervous System (CNS). During pathogenesis neurodegenerative diseases, astrocytes undergo morphological and functional remodeling, process called reactive astrogliosis, response to insults CNS. One key aspects is change expression function connexins. Connexins are channel proteins that highly expressed astrocytes, forming gap junction channels hemichannels, allowing diffusional trafficking small molecules. Alterations astrocytic connexin found diseases have been shown affect disease progression by changing neuronal survival. In this review, we will summarize astroglial connexins including Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s Parkinson’s amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Also, discuss why targeting can be plausible therapeutic strategy manage these diseases.