The “molecular soldiers” of the CNS: astrocytes, a comprehensive review on their roles and molecular signatures
Abstract
For a long time, neurons held the position of central players in the nervous system. Since there are far more astrocytes than neurons in the brain, it makes us wonder if these cells just take up space and support the neurons or if they are actively participating in central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. Now, astrocytes' contribution to CNS physiology is appreciated as they are known to regulate ion and neurotransmitter levels, synapse formation and elimination, blood-brain barrier integrity, immune function, cerebral blood flow, and many more. In many neurological and psychiatric disorders, astrocyte functions are altered. Advancements in microscopic and transcriptomic tools revealed populations of astrocytes with varied morphology, electrophysiological properties, and transcriptomic profiles. Neuron-circuit-specific functions and neuron-specific interactions of astroglial subpopulations are found, which suggests that diversity is essential in carrying out diverse region-specific CNS functions. Investigations on heterogeneous astrocyte populations are revealing new astrocyte functions and their role in pathological conditions, opening a new therapeutic avenue for targeting neurological conditions. The true extent of astrocytic heterogeneity and its functional implications are yet to be fully explored. This review summarizes essential astrocytic functions and their relevance in pathological conditions and discusses astrocytic diversity in relation to morphology, function, a…
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When driven into a reactive state by EDC-associated inflammation and oxidative stress, astrocytes can lose these homeostatic functions and instead sustain chronic inflammatory signaling, impair neurotransmitter clearance, and weaken neuronal metabolic support.
“When driven into a reactive state by EDC-associated inflammation and oxidative stress, however, astrocytes can lose these homeostatic functions and instead sustain chronic inflammatory signaling, impair neurotransmitter clearance, and weaken neuronal metabolic support (Calì et al., 2024; Khakh, 2025; Rupareliya et al., 2023).”
From Environmental endocrine disruptors at the synapse: mechanisms linking chemical exposure to cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (2026) · cites this paper as Rupareliya et al., 2023
Under physiological conditions, astrocytes maintain BBB function, regulate extracellular ion balance, recycle neurotransmitters such as glutamate, provide metabolic support to neurons, and participate in synapse formation and elimination.
“Under physiological conditions, they maintain BBB function, regulate extracellular ion balance, recycle neurotransmitters such as glutamate, provide metabolic support to neurons, and participate in synapse formation and elimination.”
From Environmental endocrine disruptors at the synapse: mechanisms linking chemical exposure to cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (2026) · cites this paper as Rupareliya et al., 2023
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Jocsak, G., Kiss, D. S., Alymbaeva, D., Diebald, A., Zsarnovszky, A., Heinzlmann, A., & Bartha, T. (2026) · Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2026.1821381 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“…state by EDC-associated inflammation and oxidative stress, however, astrocytes can lose these homeostatic functions and instead sustain chronic inflammatory signaling, impair neurotransmitter clearance, and weaken neuronal metabolic support (Calì et al., 2024; Khakh, 2025; Rupareliya et al., 2023).”
- Authors
- Rupareliya, V. P., Singh, A. A., Butt, A. M., A, H., & Kumar, H.
- Affiliations
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research - Ahmedabad (IN)
- Corresponding author
- Kumar, Hemant
- Venue
- European Journal of Pharmacology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2023-11
- Volume
- 959
- Pages
- 176048
- ISSN
- 0014-2999 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4387026881
- Cited by
- 29
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 1
- FWCI
- 1.12
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- European Journal of Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, India
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Raebareli
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Barrier Structure and Function Studies
- Keywords
- astrocytes, astrocyte heterogeneity, astrocyte subpopulations, CNS homeostasis, blood-brain barrier, synaptogenesis, cerebral blood flow, neuroimmune function, astrocyte gene expression, astrocyte morphology, neurological disorders, mental illness, therapeutic target
- MeSH terms
- Astrocytes, Brain, Central Nervous System, Humans, Military Personnel, Nervous System Diseases
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