Astrocyte responses to nanomaterials: Functional changes, pathological changes and potential applications

作者：Dai, Danni; He, Longwen; Chen, Yuming; Zhang, Chao^*

来源：Acta Biomaterialia, 2021, 122: 66-81.

DOI：10.1016/j.actbio.2020.12.013

• Astrocyte
• Nanomaterials
• Nanomedicine
• Neurodegenerative disease
• Therapy

Astrocytes are responsible for regulating and optimizing the functional environment of neurons in the brain and can reduce the adverse impacts of external factors by protecting neurons. However, excessive astrocyte activation upon stimulation may alter their initial protective effect and actually lead to aggravation of injury. Similar to the dual effects of astrocytes in the response to injury within the central nervous system (CNS), nanomaterials (NMs) can have either toxic or beneficial effects on astrocytes, serving to promote injury or inhibit tumors. As the important physiological functions of astrocytes have been gradually revealed, the effects of NMs on astrocytes and the underlying mechanisms have become a new frontier in nanomedicine and neuroscience. This review summarizes the in vitro and in vivo findings regarding the effects of various NMs on astrocytes, focusing on functional alterations and pathological processes in astrocytes, as well as the possible underlying mechanisms. We also emphasize the importance of co-culture models in studying the interaction between NMs and cells of the CNS. Finally, we discuss NMs that have shown promise for application in astrocyte-related diseases and propose some challenges and suggestions for further investigations, with the aim of providing guidance for the widespread application of NMs in the CNS. @@@ Statement of significance @@@ Astrocytes are responsible for regulating the homeostasis of the central nervous system. Once stimulated by external nanomaterials, astrocytes rapidly adopt an activated state which involves changes in characteristic structure and function of astrocytes. This review summarizes the effects of nanomaterials on the physiological functions of astrocytes and the related pathological changes. Similar to the dual effects of astrocytes in the brain injury, nanomaterials can have either toxic or beneficial effects on astrocytes, serving to aggravate injury or promote tissue repair. The possible underlying mechanisms of these effects are assessed, and suggestions to improve the application of nanomaterials in diseases are discussed.

• 单位
  南方医科大学