Alexander disease: putative mechanisms of an astrocytic encephalopathy.
Cell Mol Life Sci
; 61(3): 369-85, 2004 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-14770299
ABSTRACT
Alexander disease (AXD) is the first primary astrocytic disorder. This encephalopathy is caused by dominant mutations in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene, encoding the main intermediate filament of astrocyte. Pathologically, this neurodegenerative disease is characterised by dystrophic astrocytes containing intermediate filament aggregates associated with myelin abnormalities. More than 20 GFAP mutations have been reported. Many of them cluster in highly conserved regions between several intermediate filaments. Contrary to other intermediate filament-related diseases, AXD seems to be the consequence of a toxic gain of function induced by aggregates. This is supported by the phenotype of mice overexpressing human GFAP. Nevertheless, GFAP null mice display myelin abnormalities and blood-brain barrier dysfunction that are present in AXD. Given the pivotal role of astrocytes in brain physiology, there are many possibilities for astrocytes to dysfunction and to impair the functions of other cells. Physiopathological hypotheses are discussed in the frame of AXD.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Genoma Humano
/
Doença de Alexander
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Cell Mol Life Sci
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
Ano de publicação:
2004
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
França