Astrocytic Connexin-43 Upregulation Enhances Neuroprotective Mitochondrial Donation

graph TD
    A["Oxidative Stress and Neuronal Damage"] -->|"triggers"| B["Astrocyte Activation"]
    B -->|"upregulates"| C["GJA1 Gene Expression"]
    C -->|"increases"| D["Connexin-43 Protein Synthesis"]
    D -->|"enhances"| E["Gap Junction Formation"]
    E -->|"facilitates"| F["Astrocyte-Astrocyte Communication"]
    F -->|"coordinates"| G["Tunneling Nanotube Assembly"]
    D -->|"stabilizes"| G
    G -->|"enables"| H["Mitochondrial Transfer Machinery"]
    H -->|"transports"| I["Healthy Mitochondria to Neurons"]
    I -->|"restores"| J["Neuronal ATP Production"]
    I -->|"reduces"| K["Neuronal Ca2+ Overload"]
    J -->|"improves"| L["Synaptic Function"]
    K -->|"prevents"| M["Neuronal Apoptosis"]
    L -->|"promotes"| N["Neuroprotection"]
    M -->|"contributes to"| N
    O["Connexin-43 Modulators"] -->|"therapeutic target"| D

    classDef mechanism fill:#4fc3f7,color:#0d0d1a
    classDef pathology fill:#ef5350,color:#0d0d1a
    classDef therapy fill:#81c784,color:#0d0d1a
    classDef outcome fill:#ffd54f,color:#0d0d1a
    classDef genetics fill:#ce93d8,color:#0d0d1a

    class A,K pathology
    class C,D,E,F,G,H genetics
    class B,I,J,L mechanism
    class O therapy
    class M,N outcome