Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Eur J Neurosci. 2021 Sep;54(5):5717-5729. doi: 10.1111/ejn.14900. Epub 2020 Jul 27.
Investigating interactions of glia cells and synapses during development and in adulthood is the focus of several research programmes which aim at understanding the neurobiology of brain physiological and pathological processes. Both glia-specific released and membrane-bound proteins play essential roles in the development, maintenance and functionality of synaptic connections. Alterations in synaptic contacts in specific brain areas are hallmarks of several brain diseases, such as major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Thus, a deeper knowledge about putative astrocyte dysfunctions which might affect the synaptic compartment is warranted to improve treatment options. Here, we present the latest advances about the role of glia cells in orchestrating the arrangement of synapses and neuronal networks in physiological and pathological states. We specifically focus on the role of astrocytes in the phagocytosis of neuronal synapses as a novel mechanism which drives the refinement of neuronal circuits and might be affected in pathological conditions. Finally, we propose this astrocyte-dependent mechanism as a putative alternative target of pharmacological interventions for the treatment of brain disorders.
研究胶质细胞和突触在发育和成年期的相互作用是几个研究项目的重点，这些项目旨在了解大脑生理和病理过程的神经生物学。胶质细胞特异性释放和膜结合蛋白在突触连接的发育、维持和功能中发挥着重要作用。特定脑区突触接触的改变是几种脑部疾病的特征，如重度抑郁症、自闭症谱系障碍和精神分裂症。因此，深入了解可能影响突触隔室的星形胶质细胞功能障碍，对于改善治疗选择是必要的。在这里，我们介绍了关于胶质细胞在生理和病理状态下协调突触和神经元网络排列的最新进展。我们特别关注星形胶质细胞在神经元突触吞噬中的作用，作为一种新的机制，驱动神经元回路的细化，并且可能在病理条件下受到影响。最后，我们提出这种星形胶质细胞依赖性机制作为治疗脑部疾病的药理学干预的一个潜在替代靶点。
