NG2胶质细胞，又称少突胶质前体细胞（OPC），发育期为形成神经髓鞘的少突胶质细胞提供细胞来源，成熟脑内则成为稳定存在的一类特异性胶质细胞群体。NG2细胞在大脑中能同时接受来自谷氨酸能和γ-氨基丁酸能神经元的突触支配，然而，这些突触联系的生理功能并不清楚。尤其值得关注的是，NG2细胞如何主动调节各类神经元的兴奋性、突触功能可塑性以及如何参与神经网络活动的调控目前尚未见报道。本项目将借助多种转基因小鼠模型，结合光遗传学、分子生物学、电生理学、组织形态学、整体动物行为学等多种研究手段，通过在体特异性激活NG2细胞，研究NG2细胞如何在大脑内主动调节各类神经元功能和神经网络活动及其机制和意义。

NG2 glial cells (NG2 cells), also known as oligodendrocyte precursor cells, represent a major pool of progenitors able to generate myelinating oligodendrocytes during the early development of the brain. In the adult mammalians, NG2 cells constitute a distinct large population of macroglials. NG2 cells have been reported to receive functional glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses mediating fast synaptic transmission in hippocampus. However, it remains largely unknown whether and how NG2 cells actively regulate neuronal excitability, synaptic functions and plasticity, as well as their physiological relevance, rather than just passively follow neuronal activities. We are utilizing a combination of techniques, including optogenetics, AAV virus injection in different genetic mouse models, electrophysiological methods and molecular cell biology techniques to investigate the NG2 glial cell-neuron interactions and their effects on the excitability, synaptic function and plasticity of different types of hippocampal neurons, which is known for the learning and memory. This study will explore how NG2 cells regulate the neuronal network and provide new insights into understanding how NG2 cells function in the brain.