Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Neurosci Bull. 2023 Mar;39(3):503-518. doi: 10.1007/s12264-022-00977-9. Epub 2022 Nov 14.
The concept of the glial-vascular unit (GVU) was raised recently to emphasize the close associations between brain cells and cerebral vessels, and their coordinated reactions to diverse neurological insults from a "glio-centric" view. GVU is a multicellular structure composed of glial cells, perivascular cells, and perivascular space. Each component is closely linked, collectively forming the GVU. The central roles of glial and perivascular cells and their multi-level interconnections in the GVU under normal conditions and in central nervous system (CNS) disorders have not been elucidated in detail. Here, we comprehensively review the intensive interactions between glial cells and perivascular cells in the niche of perivascular space, which take part in the modulation of cerebral blood flow and angiogenesis, formation of the blood-brain barrier, and clearance of neurotoxic wastes. Next, we discuss dysfunctions of the GVU in various neurological diseases, including ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, and major depression disorder. In addition, we highlight the possible therapies targeting the GVU, which may have potential clinical applications.
胶质-血管单元（GVU）的概念最近被提出，以强调脑细胞和脑血管之间的密切联系，以及它们从“神经胶质中心”的角度对各种神经损伤的协调反应。GVU 是由神经胶质细胞、血管周细胞和血管周腔组成的多细胞结构。每个组成部分都紧密相连，共同构成 GVU。在中枢神经系统（CNS）疾病中，胶质细胞和血管周细胞及其多层次的相互连接在正常情况下的核心作用尚未详细阐明。在这里，我们全面回顾了血管周腔龛位中神经胶质细胞和血管周细胞之间的密集相互作用，这些作用参与了脑血流和血管生成的调节、血脑屏障的形成以及神经毒性废物的清除。接下来，我们讨论了 GVU 在各种神经疾病中的功能障碍，包括缺血性中风、脊髓损伤、阿尔茨海默病和重度抑郁症。此外，我们还强调了针对 GVU 的可能治疗方法，这些方法可能具有潜在的临床应用价值。
