Department of Scientific Research, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
National Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2021 Jan;41(1):1-15. doi: 10.1007/s10571-020-00843-0. Epub 2020 Apr 13.
As the fifth main cell population in the brain, NG2-glia are also known as oligodendrocyte precursor cells. NG2-glia express receptors and ion channels for fast modulation of neuronal activities and signaling with neuronal synapses, which are of functional significance in both physiological and pathological states. NG2-glia also participate in fast signaling with peripheral neurons via direct synaptic contacts in the brain. These distinctive glia have the unique capability of proliferating and differentiating into oligodendrocytes, which are critical for axonal myelination in the early developing brain. In neurodegenerative diseases, NG2-glia play an important role and undergo morphological modification, adapt the expression of their membrane receptors and ion channels, and display gene-modulated cell reprogramming and excitotoxicity-caused cell death. These modifications directly and indirectly influence populations of neurons and other glial cells. NG2-glia regulate their action and dynamics in response to neuronal behavior and disease, indicating a critical function to preserve and remodel myelin in physiological states and to repair it in pathological states. Here, we review in detail the differential modulators of NG2-glia into neurons and astrocytes, as well as interactions of NG2-glia with neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. We will also summarize a future potential exploitation of NG2-glia.
作为大脑中的第五种主要细胞群体，NG2 胶质细胞也被称为少突胶质前体细胞。NG2 胶质细胞表达受体和离子通道，可快速调节神经元活动和信号传递与神经元突触，这在生理和病理状态下都具有功能意义。NG2 胶质细胞还通过大脑中的直接突触接触与外周神经元进行快速信号传递。这些独特的胶质细胞具有增殖和分化为少突胶质细胞的独特能力，这对于早期发育大脑中的轴突髓鞘形成至关重要。在神经退行性疾病中，NG2 胶质细胞起着重要作用，并经历形态修饰，适应其膜受体和离子通道的表达，并表现出基因调节的细胞重编程和兴奋性毒性引起的细胞死亡。这些修饰直接和间接地影响神经元和其他神经胶质细胞群体。NG2 胶质细胞根据神经元的行为和疾病来调节其作用和动态，表明其在生理状态下具有保护和重塑髓鞘以及在病理状态下修复髓鞘的关键功能。在这里，我们详细回顾了将 NG2 胶质细胞分化为神经元和星形胶质细胞的差异调节剂，以及 NG2 胶质细胞与神经元、星形胶质细胞和小胶质细胞的相互作用。我们还将总结未来对 NG2 胶质细胞的潜在利用。
