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Review
. 2021 Oct 1;12(7):1644-1657.
doi: 10.14336/AD.2021.0325. eCollection 2021 Oct.

Neuroplastic Effect of Exercise Through Astrocytes Activation and Cellular Crosstalk

Fengwu Li  1   2 , Xiaokun Geng  1   3   4 , Ho Jun Yun  4 , Yazeed Haddad  4 , Yuhua Chen  2 , Yuchuan Ding  4
Affiliations
Review

Neuroplastic Effect of Exercise Through Astrocytes Activation and Cellular Crosstalk

Fengwu Li et al. Aging Dis. .

Abstract

Physical exercise is an effective therapy for neurorehabilitation. Exercise has been shown to induce remodeling and proliferation of astrocyte. Astrocytes potentially affect the recruitment and function of neurons; they could intensify responses of neurons and bring more neurons for the process of neuroplasticity. Interactions between astrocytes, microglia and neurons modulate neuroplasticity and, subsequently, neural circuit function. These cellular interactions promote the number and function of synapses, neurogenesis, and cerebrovascular remodeling. However, the roles and crosstalk of astrocytes with neurons and microglia and any subsequent neuroplastic effects have not been studied extensively in exercise-induced settings. This article discusses the impact of physical exercise on astrocyte proliferation and highlights the interplay between astrocytes, microglia and neurons. The crosstalk between these cells may enhance neuroplasticity, leading to the neuroplastic effects of exercise.

Keywords: interaction; microglia; neuron; neuroplasticity; rehabilitation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure statement The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Exercise-induced astrocytes activation and crosstalk with neuron and microglia.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Signal pathway underlying astrocyte-neuron crosstalk
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Signaling pathways underlying astrocyte-microglia crosstalk.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Signals underlying crosstalk between microglia and neuron.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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