PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Marcelo R. Vargas AU - Delinda A. Johnson AU - Daniel W. Sirkis AU - Albee Messing AU - Jeffrey A. Johnson TI - Nrf2 Activation in Astrocytes Protects against Neurodegeneration in Mouse Models of Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis AID - 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4099-08.2008 DP - 2008 Dec 10 TA - The Journal of Neuroscience PG - 13574--13581 VI - 28 IP - 50 4099 - http://www.jneurosci.org/content/28/50/13574.short 4100 - http://www.jneurosci.org/content/28/50/13574.full SO - J. Neurosci.2008 Dec 10; 28 AB - Activation of the transcription factor Nrf2 in astrocytes coordinates the upregulation of antioxidant defenses and confers protection to neighboring neurons. Dominant mutations in Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) cause familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal disorder characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons. Non-neuronal cells, including astrocytes, shape motor neuron survival in ALS and are a potential target to prevent motor neuron degeneration. The protective effect of Nrf2 activation in astrocytes has never been examined in a chronic model of neurodegeneration. We generated transgenic mice over-expressing Nrf2 selectively in astrocytes using the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter. The toxicity of astrocytes expressing ALS-linked mutant hSOD1 to cocultured motor neurons was reversed by Nrf2 over-expression. Motor neuron protection depended on increased glutathione secretion from astrocytes. This protective effect was also observed by crossing the GFAP-Nrf2 mice with two ALS-mouse models. Over-expression of Nrf2 in astrocytes significantly delayed onset and extended survival. These findings demonstrate that Nrf2 activation in astrocytes is a viable therapeutic target to prevent chronic neurodegeneration.