Astrocytes: Roles and Functions in the Brain

Dear Colleagues,

1. Introduction, including scientific background and highlighting the importance of this research area.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to our upcoming Special Issue, “Astrocytes: Roles and Functions in the Brain.” Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cells in the central nervous system, were traditionally viewed as passive support cells. However, accumulating evidence has redefined astrocytes as active regulators of brain function. They play critical roles in synaptic transmission, metabolic support, blood–brain barrier maintenance, and immune responses. In pathological contexts such as neurodegeneration, epilepsy, and neuroinflammation, astrocytes undergo profound functional changes that can influence disease outcomes. Understanding the multifaceted roles of astrocytes is essential in unraveling the complexity of brain physiology and pathology.

2. Aim of the Special Issue and how the subject relates to the journal scope.

This Special Issue will gather original research and comprehensive reviews that advance our understanding of astrocyte biology, from development and heterogeneity to their dynamic roles in health and disease. The topic aligns with the journal’s mission to publish high-impact research in neuroscience, cellular biology, and neuroinflammation. By offering a platform for astrocyte-focused studies, this Special Issue will stimulate interdisciplinary discussion and inspire novel therapeutic strategies.

3. Suggested themes and article types for submissions.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Astrocyte development and regional heterogeneity;
• Astrocyte–neuron and astrocyte–microglia interactions;
• Synaptic modulation and neurotransmitter homeostasis;
• Astrocyte roles in energy metabolism and the blood–brain barrier;
• Reactive astrogliosis and neuroinflammation;
• Astrocyte involvement in CNS disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, epilepsy, depression);
• Novel methods to study astrocyte function in vivo and in vitro;
• Therapeutic targeting of astrocyte pathways.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Victor Huang
Dr. Rita Raisman-Vozari
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• astrocyte biology
• glial cells
• synaptic regulation
• CNS disorders
• neuroinflammation
• blood–brain barrier
• brain metabolism
• reactive astrocytes
• neuron–glia interaction
• therapeutic targeting