Retinal Macroglial Responses in Health and Disease

摘要: Due to their permanent and close proximity neurons, glial cells perform essential tasks for the normal physiology of retina. Astrocytes Muller (retinal macroglia) provide physical support neurons supplement them with several metabolites growth factors. Macroglia are involved in maintaining homeostasis extracellular ions neurotransmitters, information processing neural circuits, participate retinal glucose metabolism removing metabolic waste products, regulate local blood flow, induce blood-retinal barrier (BRB), play fundamental roles immune response, protect from oxidative damage. In response polyetiological insults, glia react a process called reactive gliosis, seeking maintain homeostasis. When malfunctioning, macroglial can become primary pathogenic elements. A gliosis has been described different pathologies, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetes, glaucoma, detachment, or retinitis pigmentosa. better understanding dual, neuroprotective, cytotoxic effect involvement pathologies would help treating physiopathology these diseases. The extensive participation macroglia diseases points as innovative targets new drug therapies.