神经元-胶质细胞间通讯的研究进展

Advances in the study of neuron-glial intercellular communication

神经元-胶质细胞间通讯是维持整个神经系统正常生理功能的基础。神经系统细胞间通讯可通过神经递质、突触、旁分泌信号、细胞外囊泡以及离子通道等机制得以实现。随着近年各种新技术的出现,神经元与胶质细胞间新的通讯方式逐渐被发现。隧道纳米管(TNTs)这一动态的细胞间连接结构的发现,让人们认识到神经系统细胞间的蛋白质转移、离子运输、细胞器转运和信号传输等新的通讯方式。利用光遗传学技术刺激胶质细胞不仅可以调控中枢神经系统(CNS)神经元-胶质细胞间的通讯,也为周围神经系统(PNS)的神经纤维提供结构支持。最近,利用单细胞转录组测序技术,对神经元-胶质细胞间通讯的研究不断拓展和深入,在将来可能构建出整个神经系统单细胞层面细胞间通讯网络的图景。根据上述研究背景,笔者介绍CNS和PNS的神经元与不同的胶质细胞间通讯的最新研究进展,这对认识神经系统的复杂功能具有一定的意义。

The communication between neurons and glial cells is the basis for maintaining the normal physiological function of the whole nervous system.Intercellular communication in the nervous system can be achieved through several mechanisms such as neurotransmitters,synapses,paracrine signals,extracellular vesicles,and ion channels.In recent years,new techniques promoted the discovery of new patterns of communication between neurons and glial cells.The discovery of tunneling nanotubes(TNTs),a dynamic cell-cell contact,has led to the recognition of new communication patterns such as protein transfer,ion transport,organelle transport,and signal transduction between cells in the nervous system.Stimulating glial cells using optogenetic techniques can not only modulate information processing in the central nervous system(CNS),but also provide structural support for nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system(PNS).Recently,the use of single-cell RNA sequencing technology has expanded and deepened the research on communication between neurons and glial cells.It is possible to construct the landscape of intercellular communication network of the whole nervous system in the single-cell level in the future.Based on the above research backgrounds,the authors review the latest research progress on communication between neurons and different kinds of glial cells in CNS and PNS,which has significance for understanding the complex functions of the nervous system.