Development of Neurodegenerative Diseases Linked to Astrocyte Nitric Oxide Signaling

NO acted through cGMP signaling in neurons to promote cell death. Astrocytes themselves also degenerated, via the DNA damage response and p53 protein.

Results from the fruit fly model were confirmed in a mouse model. Furthermore, evidence of activation of the NO pathway was detected in samples from human patients with Alexander disease.

"We are excited to be contributing to a growing area of study of how astrocytes contribute to neurodegeneration, and to have uncovered a role for NO as a neuronal cell death signaling molecule," said senior author Dr. Mel B. Feany, a senior pathologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "Our findings define a potential mechanism for neuronal cell death in Alexander disease and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases with astrocyte dysfunction."

The study was published in the November 26, 2015, online edition of the journal Nature Communications.

Related Links:
Brigham and Women's Hospital