Astrocyte Nuclei Travel to Rebuild Damaged Brain Networks
Researchers at the University of Zurich identified a novel regenerative mechanism in the adult brain: specialized perilesional astrocytes do not rely solely on local division but instead generate nuclei that migrate along long astrocytic extensions into the injury core, repopulating damaged tissue and rebuilding functional networks. Using in vivo two-photon microscopy and longitudinal gene mapping in mice, they mapped activated genes and signaling pathways that could be therapeutic targets to enhance repair after traumatic brain injury and autoimmune conditions like NMOSD. This challenges the long-held view of limited glial regeneration and suggests new avenues for brain repair therapies.
