Demmings Matthew D, da Silva Chagas Luana, Traetta Marianela E, Rodrigues Rui S, Acutain Maria Florencia, Barykin Evgeny, Datusalia Ashok Kumar, German-Castelan Liliana, Mattera Vanesa S, Mazengenya Pedzisai, Skoug Cecilia, Umemori Hisashi
Neuroscience Program, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Department of Neurobiology and Program of Neurosciences, Institute of Biology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
J Neurochem. 2025 Jan;169(1):e16258. doi: 10.1111/jnc.16258.
Neuron-glia interactions are fundamental to the development and function of the nervous system. During development, glia, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, influence neuronal differentiation and migration, synapse formation and refinement, and myelination. In the mature brain, glia are crucial for maintaining neural homeostasis, modulating synaptic activity, and supporting metabolic functions. Neurons, inherently vulnerable to various stressors, rely on glia for protection and repair. However, glia, in their reactive state, can also promote neuronal damage, which contributes to neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Understanding the dual role of glia-as both protectors and potential aggressors-sheds light on their complex contributions to disease etiology and pathology. By appropriately modulating glial activity, it may be possible to mitigate neurodegeneration and restore neuronal function. In this review, which originated from the International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) Advanced School in 2019 held in Montreal, Canada, we first describe the critical importance of glia in the development and maintenance of a healthy nervous system as well as their contributions to neuronal damage and neurological disorders. We then discuss potential strategies to modulate glial activity during disease to protect and promote a properly functioning nervous system. We propose that targeting glial cells presents a promising therapeutic avenue for rebuilding the nervous system.
神经元与神经胶质细胞的相互作用是神经系统发育和功能的基础。在发育过程中，包括星形胶质细胞、小胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞在内的神经胶质细胞会影响神经元的分化和迁移、突触的形成与完善以及髓鞘形成。在成熟大脑中，神经胶质细胞对于维持神经内环境稳定、调节突触活动以及支持代谢功能至关重要。神经元本质上易受各种应激源的影响，依赖神经胶质细胞进行保护和修复。然而，处于反应状态的神经胶质细胞也会促进神经元损伤，这与神经退行性疾病和神经精神疾病的发生有关。了解神经胶质细胞作为保护者和潜在攻击者的双重作用，有助于揭示它们在疾病病因和病理过程中的复杂作用。通过适当调节神经胶质细胞的活性，有可能减轻神经退行性变并恢复神经元功能。在这篇综述中，其源于2019年在加拿大蒙特利尔举行的国际神经化学学会（ISN）高级学院会议，我们首先描述神经胶质细胞在健康神经系统发育和维持中的关键重要性，以及它们对神经元损伤和神经疾病的影响。然后，我们讨论在疾病期间调节神经胶质细胞活性以保护和促进神经系统正常运作的潜在策略。我们认为，针对神经胶质细胞是重建神经系统的一个有前景的治疗途径。
