Angiotensin II and astrocytes relevance in mental disorders

Abstract

Astrocytes have a main role in the neurovascular coupling orchestrating the functional hyperemia, the blood–brain barrier maintenance, the immune response and tissue repair, as well as regulating the synaptic pruning and dendritic spines elimination, synapse formation, and neurotransmission systems functioning. Under pathological conditions, astrocytes become reactive and change their morphology and function in a process named astrogliosis. This response encompasses cell proliferation and migration, hypertrophy of the astrocytic processes, and increased expression of intermediate filaments, most notably of the glial fibrillary acidic protein. The evidence supports astrocytes’ key role in the development of several neuroinflammation-related mental disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and major depression. Our group found astrogliosis induced by amphetamine and ketamine administration, drugs used in animal models of schizophrenia. The evidence highlight the involvement of angiotensin II in the development of brain pathologies associated with dopamine–glutamate imbalance. We will focus upon the delicate dance between astrocytes and angiotensin II in brain diseases.