AAIC 2022 | How is astrocyte reactivity controlled?

Many questions remain about how the reactive state of astrocytes is controlled. Data demonstrates that these cells have multiple and context-dependent effects in neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting the underlying pathways involved in their activity are several and variable. Carole Escartin, PhD, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris Saclay, Fontenay-aux-roses, France, describes the JAK-STAT3 cascade as a central pathway shown to be impactful in animal models of several neurodegenerative diseases. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and calcineurin (CN) are also thought to be important in astrocyte activation. This interview took place at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2022 in San Diego, CA.