Axonal Transport: Mechanisms, Disorders, and Therapeutic Approaches

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 2540

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Room 2B-209, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3706, USA
Interests: neurodegenerative mechanisms; autophagy; mitochondria; axonal transport

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Co-Guest Editor
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Interests: cell-cell communications; autophagy; exosomes; autism spectrum disorders (ASDs); neural circuits

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Axonal transport is a critical cellular process responsible for the movement of organelles, proteins, and other molecules along the axons of neurons. This process is essential for maintaining neuronal function and survival. Disruptions in axonal transport are implicated in various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and peripheral neuropathies. This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research on the molecular mechanisms of axonal transport, its role in neurodegenerative diseases, and potential therapeutic strategies to ameliorate transport-related dysfunctions.

This Special Issue will cover a broad range of topics related to axonal transport, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Molecular mechanisms of anterograde and retrograde transport;
  • Role of motor proteins in axonal transport;
  • Regulation of axonal transport by signaling pathways;
  • Cargo selection, sorting, and delivery mechanisms;
  • Impact of axonal transport dysfunction on neurodegenerative diseases;
  • Axonal transport in development and aging;
  • Therapeutic approaches to targeting axonal transport defects;
  • New technological achievements in studying axonal transport;
  • Animal models and clinical studies of axonal transport disorders.

Dr. Yuxiang Xie
Dr. Jingqi Yan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • axonal transport
  • motor proteins
  • autophagy–lysosome pathway
  • neurodegenerative diseases
  • therapeutic strategies

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

20 pages, 1662 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Role of Axons in ALS from Multiple Perspectives
by Xiaosu Chen, Shuchang Lv, Jinmeng Liu, Yingjun Guan, Chunjie Xu, Xiaonan Ma, Mu Li, Xue Bai, Kexin Liu, Haoyun Zhang, Qiupeng Yan, Fenghua Zhou and Yanchun Chen
Cells 2024, 13(24), 2076; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13242076 - 17 Dec 2024
Viewed by 2220
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as motor neuron disease, is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons. This pathological process results in muscle weakness and can culminate in paralysis. To date, the precise etiology [...] Read more.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as motor neuron disease, is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons. This pathological process results in muscle weakness and can culminate in paralysis. To date, the precise etiology of ALS remains unclear. However, a burgeoning body of research indicates that axonal dysfunction is a pivotal element in the pathogenesis of ALS and significantly influences the progression of disease. Dysfunction of axons in ALS can result in impediments to nerve impulse transmission, leading to motor impairment, muscle atrophy, and other associated complications that severely compromise patients’ quality of life and survival prognosis. In this review, we concentrate on several key areas: the ultrastructure of axons, the mechanisms of axonal degeneration in ALS, the impact of impaired axonal transport on disease progression in ALS, and the potential for axonal regeneration within the central nervous system (CNS). Our objective is to achieve a more holistic and profound understanding of the multifaceted role that axons play in ALS, thereby offering a more intricate and refined perspective on targeted axonal therapeutic interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Axonal Transport: Mechanisms, Disorders, and Therapeutic Approaches)
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