Neurobiology Unit and Program in Basic and Applied Neurosciences, Cell Biology Department, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
Neurochem Res. 2013 Jun;38(6):1122-33. doi: 10.1007/s11064-013-0977-4. Epub 2013 Jan 26.
Neuronal structural plasticity is known to have a major role in cognitive processes and in the response of the CNS to aversive experiences. This type of plasticity involves processes ranging from neurite outgrowth/retraction or dendritic spine remodeling, to the incorporation of new neurons to the established circuitry. However, the study of how these structural changes take place has been focused mainly on excitatory neurons, while little attention has been paid to interneurons. The exploration of these plastic phenomena in interneurons is very important, not only for our knowledge of CNS physiology, but also for understanding better the etiology of different psychiatric and neurological disorders in which alterations in the structure and connectivity of inhibitory networks have been described. Here we review recent work on the structural remodeling of interneurons in the adult brain, both in basal conditions and after chronic stress or sensory deprivation. We also describe studies from our laboratory and others on the putative mediators of this interneuronal structural plasticity, focusing on the polysialylated form of the neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM). This molecule is expressed by some interneurons in the adult CNS and, through its anti-adhesive and insulating properties, may participate in the remodeling of their structure. Finally, we review recent findings on the possible implication of PSA-NCAM on the remodeling of inhibitory neurons in certain psychiatric disorders and their treatments.
神经元结构可塑性在认知过程和中枢神经系统对厌恶体验的反应中起着重要作用。这种类型的可塑性涉及从轴突生长/缩回或树突棘重塑到新神经元整合到已建立的回路的过程。然而，这些结构变化是如何发生的研究主要集中在兴奋性神经元上，而对内源性神经元的关注较少。探索内源性神经元中的这些可塑性现象非常重要，不仅有助于我们了解中枢神经系统的生理学，还有助于更好地理解不同精神和神经障碍的病因，其中已经描述了抑制性网络的结构和连接的改变。在这里，我们回顾了最近关于成年大脑中内源性神经元在基础条件下以及慢性应激或感觉剥夺后结构重塑的研究。我们还描述了我们实验室和其他实验室关于这种内源性神经元结构可塑性的潜在介质的研究，重点是神经细胞黏附分子（PSA-NCAM）的多聚唾液酸化形式。这种分子在成年中枢神经系统中的一些内源性神经元中表达，通过其抗黏附和绝缘特性，可能参与其结构的重塑。最后，我们回顾了最近关于 PSA-NCAM 在内源性神经元抑制性重塑及其治疗方面在某些精神疾病中的可能作用的发现。
