Control of gap-junctional communication in astrocytic networks
Control of gap-junctional communication in astrocytic networks
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DOI：
10.1016/0166-2236(96)10046-1
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发表时间：
1996-08-01
影响因子：
15.9
通讯作者：
McCarthy, KD
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Giaume, C;McCarthy, KD
星形胶质细胞是哺乳动物大脑中最丰富的细胞类型，它们通过主要由connexin43组成的间隙连接广泛地相互连接。在高水平表达connexin43的区域，数十个星形胶质细胞在单细胞内注射后被标记。重要的是，间隙连接的表达和通透性都受到严格调控。这种长期和短期的调节表明星形细胞网络可能具有重塑和一定的可塑性。由于存在神经-胶质相互作用的证据，星形胶质细胞之间的耦合程度可能参与设定神经元活动的基调并确定受影响神经元的范围。这一领域的研究仍处于早期阶段，重大进展需要从对基本性质的理解过渡到对功能的研究。
Astrocytes, which constitute the most abundant cell type in mammalian brain, are extensively coupled to one another through gap junctions composed mainly of connexin43. In regions exhibiting high levels of connexin43 expression,tens of astrocytes are labeled following single-cell intracellular injection. Importantly, both the expression and the permeability of gap junctions are tightly regulated. Such long- and short-term regulations indicate that astrocytic networks might be subject to remodeling and to some plasticity. Since evidence for neuro-glial interaction exists, the degree of coupling between astrocytes could participate to set the tone of neuronal activity and to determine the sphere of influenced neurons. Research in this area is still at its early stages and significant progress requires a transition from the understanding of basic properties to the study of function.