Purushotham Sushmitha S, Buskila Yossi
School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia.
The MARCS Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia.
Front Netw Physiol. 2023 Jun 1;3:1205544. doi: 10.3389/fnetp.2023.1205544. eCollection 2023.
Neuronal signalling is a key element in neuronal communication and is essential for the proper functioning of the CNS. Astrocytes, the most prominent glia in the brain play a key role in modulating neuronal signalling at the molecular, synaptic, cellular, and network levels. Over the past few decades, our knowledge about astrocytes and their functioning has evolved from considering them as merely a brain glue that provides structural support to neurons, to key communication elements. Astrocytes can regulate the activity of neurons by controlling the concentrations of ions and neurotransmitters in the extracellular milieu, as well as releasing chemicals and gliotransmitters that modulate neuronal activity. The aim of this review is to summarise the main processes through which astrocytes are modulating brain function. We will systematically distinguish between direct and indirect pathways in which astrocytes affect neuronal signalling at all levels. Lastly, we will summarize pathological conditions that arise once these signalling pathways are impaired focusing on neurodegeneration.
神经元信号传导是神经元通讯的关键要素，对中枢神经系统的正常运作至关重要。星形胶质细胞是大脑中最主要的神经胶质细胞，在分子、突触、细胞和网络水平上调节神经元信号传导方面发挥着关键作用。在过去几十年里，我们对星形胶质细胞及其功能的认识已从仅仅将它们视为为神经元提供结构支持的“脑胶水”，发展到将其视为关键的通讯元件。星形胶质细胞可以通过控制细胞外环境中离子和神经递质的浓度，以及释放调节神经元活动的化学物质和胶质递质来调节神经元的活动。本综述的目的是总结星形胶质细胞调节脑功能的主要过程。我们将系统地区分星形胶质细胞在各个水平影响神经元信号传导的直接和间接途径。最后，我们将总结这些信号通路受损时出现的病理状况，重点关注神经退行性变。
