An emerging role of astrocytes in vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia

This article is part of the Special Issue “Vascular Dementia”. We propose that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) results in a pro‐inflammatory response at the vasculature, which activates the matrix metalloproteinase MMP9. MMP9 subsequently cleaves the a‐b dystroglycan complex, leading to disruption of the astrocytic connection with the vasculature. MMP9 also degrades the dystrophin Dp71 anchoring complex, resulting in the down‐regulation of astrocytic end‐foot channels. The end result of the end‐foot disruption is impaired potassium homeostasis in the brain and impaired neurovascular coupling.
Source: Journal of Neurochemistry - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research