NG2胶质细胞的生物学特性和功能

Biological characteristics and functions of NG2-glia

NG2胶质细胞是广泛分布于中枢神经系统内的一类胶质细胞。在生理条件下,NG2胶质细胞主要分化成少突胶质细胞,参与轴突髓鞘化,故一般称其为少突胶质前体细胞。随着研究深入,人们发现NG2胶质细胞除了作为少突胶质细胞前体细胞外,还具有许多其它生物学特性和功能。例如,NG2胶质细胞可以与神经元直接形成突触联系,还能够参与能量代谢和免疫调控等。在病理条件下,NG2胶质细胞可以分化为星形胶质细胞、施万细胞甚至神经元,并参与中枢神经损伤与修复过程。因此,深入了解NG2胶质细胞在生理和病理条件下的生物学特性及功能将有助于其在相关中枢神经损伤和疾病中的治疗应用。本文就近年来NG2胶质细胞生物学特性和功能等方面的研究进展作一综述。

NG2-glia are a major type of glial cells that are widely distributed in the central nervous system(CNS).Under physiological conditions,they mainly differentiate into oligodendrocytes and contribute to the myelination of axons,so they are generally called oligodendrocyte progenitor cells.Emerging evidence suggests that NG2-glia not only act as the precursors of oligodendrocytes but also possess many other biological properties and functions.For example,NG2-glia can form synapse with neurons and participate in energy metabolism and immune regulation.Under pathological conditions,NG2-glia can also differentiate into astrocytes,Schwann cells and even neurons,which are involved in CNS injury and repair.Therefore,a deeper understanding of the biological characteristics and functions of NG2-glia under physiological and pathological conditions will be helpful for the treatment of CNS injury and disease.This article reviews the recent advances in the biological characteristics and functions of NG2-glia.