Article
Neurosciences
Qiqian Wang, Shenquan Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates that the passive transmembrane ion transport model applies to hemichannels and non-junctional plasma membranes, leading to the establishment of a gap junctional channel model. Numerical simulations were used to study homotypic and heterotypic gap junctions formed by connexins, innexins, and pannexins, shedding light on the physiology of hemichannels and gap junctions.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Kaoru Beppu, Naoko Kubo, Ko Matsui
Summary: Recent studies have shown that Bergmann glial cells in the cerebellum can effectively amplify excitatory information processing by releasing glutamate, demonstrating interaction between neurons and glia. This finding suggests that a portion of the postsynaptic current in neurons may be mediated by glutamate released from Bergmann glial cells.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Christian Lohr
Summary: This review summarizes the function of P2Y receptors in astrocytes, including their regulation of cellular functions and involvement in various brain diseases.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alice McDouall, Kelly Q. Zhou, Laura Bennet, Colin R. Green, Alistair J. Gunn, Joanne O. Davidson
Summary: Perinatal brain injury, caused by hypoxia-ischemia and/or infection/inflammation, is a major cause of disability. Despite the effectiveness of therapeutic hypothermia, additional interventions are needed as nearly half of the infants still have adverse outcomes. Recent studies have shown that brain injury spreads over time from the initial site to previously unaffected regions, partly due to the opening of connexin hemichannels and pannexin channels. Blockade of these channels has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in animal models, suggesting their potential as targeted interventions in combination or separate from therapeutic hypothermia.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Di Yang, Mengyuan Chen, Sijia Yang, Furong Deng, Xinbiao Guo
Summary: Connexin hemichannels and pannexin channels are transmembrane channels that facilitate the exchange of ions and molecules between intra- and extracellular compartments. However, their excessive opening can disrupt cell homeostasis and function due to the permeation of toxic substances and essential metabolites. This review explores the activation of these channels by external stimuli and their involvement in toxicological pathways, including inflammation and oxidative damage.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryo Yamasaki
Summary: Connexins form gap junctions that allow the movement of bioactive molecules between cells and play crucial roles in neurological dysfunctions. Modulating connexin hemichannels could be a promising therapeutic approach for treating these disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marianela Evelyn Traetta, Nonthue Alejandra Uccelli, Sandra Cristina Zarate, Dante Gomez Cuautle, Alberto Javier Ramos, Analia Reines
Summary: This study reveals the reactive changes in cortical microglia and astroglia, as well as synaptic alterations in a rat model prenatally exposed to valproic acid. Additionally, it highlights the importance of communication between microglia and astroglia in neuroinflammation associated with autism spectrum disorder, suggesting it as a potential target for interventions.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mark W. Sherwood, Stephane H. R. Oliet, Aude Panatier
Summary: NMDARs play a crucial role in coincidence detection during synaptic plasticity, with astrocytes regulating the availability of co-agonists to influence synaptic plasticity. The unique morphology and spatial arrangement of astrocytes allows them to integrate information from unrelated synapses at the synaptic level simultaneously.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Xiaomin Huang, Yixun Su, Nan Wang, Hui Li, Zhigang Li, Guowei Yin, Hui Chen, Jianqin Niu, Chenju Yi
Summary: Astrocytes play a crucial role in maintaining the normal functions of the Central Nervous System (CNS). During neurodegenerative diseases, alterations in astrocytic connexin expression and function can affect disease progression by impacting neuronal function and survival. Targeting connexins may be a plausible therapeutic strategy for managing these neurodegenerative diseases.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ivan Mizdrak, Maja Mizdrak, Anita Racetin, Braco Boskovic, Benjamin Benzon, Merica Glavina Durdov, Katarina Vukojevic, Natalija Filipovic
Summary: This study analyzed the expression pattern of connexins (Cx) 37, 40 and 45, pannexin1 (Panx1) and vimentin in squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and their correlation with tumor grade and outcome. The results showed significant differences in the expression of Cx37, Cx40, and Panx1 between cancer and normal mucosa, and between different grades. Lower Panx1 expression and higher vimentin expression were found to be prognostic factors for regional metastatic disease. Lower expression of Cx37 and Cx40 was associated with disease recurrence after follow-up.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ross Luu, Silvana Valdebenito, Eliana Scemes, Antonio Cibelli, David C. Spray, Maximiliano Rovegno, Juan Tichauer, Andrea Cottignies-Calamarte, Arielle Rosenberg, Calude Capron, Sandrine Belouzard, Jean Dubuisson, Djillali Annane, Geoffroy Lorin de la Grandmaison, Elisabeth Cramer-Borde, Morgane Bomsel, Eliseo Eugenin
Summary: The study found that SARS-CoV-2 induces a more significant and prolonged opening of Panx-1 channels compared to other viruses, leading to increased release of ATP, PGE(2), and IL-1 beta. Therefore, the Panx-1 channel is considered a critical factor in SARS-CoV-2 infection and could be a potential alternative therapy.
Review
Immunology
Erliang Kong, Yongchang Li, Mengqiu Deng, Tong Hua, Mei Yang, Jian Li, Xudong Feng, Hongbin Yuan
Summary: Neuropathic pain is characterized by hyperalgesia and allodynia. Inflammation plays a role in the development of neuropathic pain, affecting synaptic transmission and regulated by glial cells. Glycometabolism reprogramming in inflammatory cells, specifically impaired oxidative phosphorylation and enhanced glycolysis, promotes neural inflammation in peripheral and central nervous system. Further research is needed to explore the role of glycometabolism in glial cells in neuropathic pain.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Mark W. Sherwood, Misa Arizono, Aude Panatier, Katsuhiko Mikoshiba, Stephane H. R. Oliet
Summary: Astrocytes modulate neuronal functions by releasing gliotransmitters in response to ongoing neuronal activities, with IP3R-Ca2+ signaling playing a crucial role at the network and behavioral level. Multiple astrocytic IP3R isoforms exist, each with unique physiological roles, enriching calcium dynamics and influencing astrocyte-neuron communication.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Mathematics
Sergey M. Olenin, Tatiana A. Levanova, Sergey V. Stasenko
Summary: The goal of this study is to propose a new reduced phenomenological model that describes the mean-field dynamics arising from neuron-glial interaction, taking into account short-term synaptic plasticity and recurrent connections in the presence of astrocytic modulation of the synaptic connection. The proposed model reproduces a rich set of patterns of population activity, including spiking, bursting and chaotic temporal patterns, and can be used to reproduce various patterns of population activity of neurons in a wide range of studies of dynamic memory and information processing. One possible application of such research is the development of new effective methods for the treatment of neurological diseases associated with neuron-glial interactions.
Review
Neurosciences
Julianna Goenaga, Alfonso Araque, Paulo Kofuji, Daniela Herrera Moro Chao
Summary: Glia are supportive cells in the brain that have traditionally been thought to play passive roles. However, recent evidence shows that a specific type of glia called astrocytes can actively influence neural information processing. Astrocytes can sense synaptic activity and release gliotransmitters which modulate neuronal activity and synaptic transmission, impacting animal behavior. This interaction between astrocytes and neurons is known as the tripartite synapse, where astrocytes are integral to synaptic function. In this review, the authors discuss how calcium-mediated excitability in astrocytes modulates synaptic information processing at different scales.
FRONTIERS IN SYNAPTIC NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jun Zhang, Gil Benedek, Sheetal Bodhankar, Andrew Lapato, Arthur A. Vandenbark, Halina Offner
JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY
(2015)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sheetal Bodhankar, Andrew Lapato, Yingxin Chen, Arthur A. Vandenbark, Julie A. Saugstad, Halina Offner
METABOLIC BRAIN DISEASE
(2015)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jun Zhang, Andrew Lapato, Sheetal Bodhankar, Arthur A. Vandenbark, Halina Offner
METABOLIC BRAIN DISEASE
(2015)
Article
Neurosciences
W. Zhu, A. L. Dotson, N. L. Libal, A. S. Lapato, S. Bodhankar, H. Offner, N. J. Alkayed
Article
Clinical Neurology
Sheetal Bodhankar, Yingxin Chen, Andrew Lapato, Abby L. Dotson, Jianming Wang, Arthur A. Vandenbark, Julie A. Saugstad, Halina Offner
Article
Neurosciences
Andrew S. Lapato, Jenny I. Szu, Jonathan P. C. Hasselmann, Anna J. Khalaj, Devin K. Binder, Seema K. Tiwari-Woodruff
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sheetal Bodhankar, Yingxin Chen, Andrew Lapato, Arthur A. Vandenbark, Stephanie J. Murphy, Julie A. Saugstad, Halina Offner
METABOLIC BRAIN DISEASE
(2015)
Article
Neurosciences
Sheetal Bodhankar, Yingxin Chen, Andrew Lapato, Arthur A. Vandenbark, Stephaine J. Murphy, Halina Offner
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2014)