The Role of Astrocytes and Alpha-Synuclein in Parkinson’s Disease: A Review

Abstract

The search for new therapies to reduce symptoms and find a cure for Parkinson’s disease has focused attention on two key points: the accumulation of alpha-synuclein aggregates and astrocytes. The former is a hallmark of the disease, while the latter corresponds to a type of glial cell with an important role in both the prevention and development of this neurodegenerative disorder. Traditionally, research has focused on therapies targeting dopaminergic neurons. Currently, as more is known about the genetic and molecular factors and the neuroglial interaction in the disease, great emphasis has been placed on the neuroprotective role of astrocytes in the early stages of the disease and on the astrocytic capture of alpha-synuclein under both physiological and pathological conditions. This review aims to analyze the contribution of alpha-synuclein and astrocytes to the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease, as well as to evaluate recent therapeutic proposals specifically focused on synucleopathies and astroglial cells as potential therapies for the disease.