Astrocyte reactivity (process; not a molecule or receptor)

Astrocyte reactivity, or reactive astrogliosis, is a collective term for a range of morphological, molecular, and functional changes astrocytes undergo in response to CNS injury, disease, or infection. These changes are highly context-dependent and include alterations in gene expression, cellular hypertrophy, proliferation, and changes in the secretion of cytokines and neurotrophic factors. Astrocyte reactivity is considered a secondary and graded response that can lead to both protective and pathological outcomes, contributing to neuroinflammation, tissue repair, scar formation, or neuronal dysfunction. While not a drug target itself, modulating pathways within reactive astrocytes is a growing area in neurotherapeutics.

Other names

Reactive astrogliosisastrocyte activationastrocytosisreactive gliosisastrocyte reaction

Drugs modulate astrocyte reactivity via: Inhibition of specific receptors (e.g., MAO-B, A2A, mGluR5); Modulation of transcription factors (e.g., Nrf2 activation represses neurotoxic reactive astrocyte phenotypes); Reducing neuroinflammation or promoting neuroprotection.