Targeting glial cells to elucidate the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease

Mol Neurobiol. 2010 Jun;41(2-3):248-55. doi: 10.1007/s12035-009-8097-5. Epub 2010 Jan 28.

Abstract

Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder caused by expended CAG repeats in the Huntingtin (Htt) gene. The resultant mutant Htt (mHtt) forms aggregates in neurons and causes neuronal dysfunctions. The major characteristic of HD is the selective loss of neurons in the striatum and cortex, which leads to movement disorders, dementia, and eventual death. Expression of mHtt was also found in non-neuronal cells in the brain, suggesting non-cell-autonomous neurotoxicity in HD. As was documented in many different neurodegenerative disorders, elevated inflammatory responses are also reported in HD. To date, effective treatments for this devastating disease remain to be developed. This review focuses on the importance of glial cells and inflammation in HD pathogenesis. Potential anti-inflammatory interventions for HD are also discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / cytology
  • Astrocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Huntington Disease* / pathology
  • Huntington Disease* / physiopathology
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neuroglia / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • HTT protein, human
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins