scholarly journals Structure and Functions of Gap Junctions and Their Constituent Connexins in the Mammalian CNS

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-119
Author(s):  
E. Yu. Kirichenko ◽  
S. N. Skatchkov ◽  
A. M. Ermakov
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
System Level ◽  
Molecular Signaling ◽  
Metabolic Cooperation ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Abstract— Numerous data obtained in the last 20 years indicate that all parts of the mature central nervous system, from the retina and olfactory bulb to the spinal cord and brain, contain cells connected by gap junctions (GJs). The morphological basis of the GJs is a group of joined membrane hemichannels called connexons, the subunit of each connexon is the protein connexin. In the central nervous system, connexins show specificity and certain types of them are expressed either in neurons or in glial cells. Connexins and GJs of neurons, combining certain types of inhibitory hippocampal and neocortical neuronal ensembles, provide synchronization of local impulse and rhythmic activity, thalamocortical conduction, control of excitatory connections, which reflects their important role in the processes of perception, concentration of attention and consolidation of memory, both on the cellular and at the system level. Connexins of glial cells are ubiquitously expressed in the brain, and the GJs formed by them provide molecular signaling and metabolic cooperation and play a certain role in the processes of neuronal migration during brain development, myelination, tissue homeostasis, and apoptosis. At the same time, mutations in the genes of glial connexins, as well as a deficiency of these proteins, are associated with such diseases as congenital neuropathies, hearing loss, skin diseases, and brain tumors. This review summarizes the existing data of numerous molecular, electrophysiological, pharmacological, and morphological studies aimed at progress in the study of the physiological and pathophysiological significance of glial and neuronal connexins and GJs for the central nervous system.

Neural Stem Cells to Glial Cells an Important Factor for Brain Injury

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prithiv K R Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Neural Stem Cells ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Near Future

Stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into any type of cell or organ. Stems cell originate from any part of the body, including the brain. Brain cells or rather neural stem cells have the capacitive advantage of differentiating into the central nervous system leading to the formation of neurons and glial cells. Neural stem cells should have a source by editing DNA, or by mixings chemical enzymes of iPSCs. By this method, a limitless number of neuron stem cells can be obtained. Increase in supply of NSCs help in repairing glial cells which in-turn heal the central nervous system. Generally, brain injuries cause motor and sensory deficits leading to stroke. With all trials from novel therapeutic methods to enhanced rehabilitation time, the economy and quality of life is suppressed. Only PSCs have proven effective for grafting cells into NSCs. Neurons derived from stem cells is the only challenge that limits in-vitro usage in the near future.

Some fly sensory organs are gliogenic and require glide/gcm in a precursor that divides symmetrically and produces glial cells

Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (17) ◽  
pp. 3735-3743 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Van De Bor ◽  
R. Walther ◽  
A. Giangrande
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Peripheral Nervous System ◽  
Glial Cell ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Sensory Organ ◽  
Asymmetric Distribution ◽  
Sensory Organs ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Glial Precursor

In flies, the choice between neuronal and glial fates depends on the asymmetric division of multipotent precursors, the neuroglioblast of the central nervous system and the IIb precursor of the sensory organ lineage. In the central nervous system, the choice between the two fates requires asymmetric distribution of the glial cell deficient/glial cell missing (glide/gcm) RNA in the neuroglioblast. Preferential accumulation of the transcript in one of the daughter cells results in the activation of the glial fate in that cell, which becomes a glial precursor. Here we show that glide/gcm is necessary to induce glial differentiation in the peripheral nervous system. We also present evidence that glide/gcm RNA is not necessary to induce the fate choice in the peripheral multipotent precursor. Indeed, glide/gcm RNA and protein are first detected in one daughter of IIb but not in IIb itself. Thus, glide/gcm is required in both central and peripheral glial cells, but its regulation is context dependent. Strikingly, we have found that only subsets of sensory organs are gliogenic and express glide/gcm. The ability to produce glial cells depends on fixed, lineage related, cues and not on stochastic decisions. Finally, we show that after glide/gcm expression has ceased, the IIb daughter migrates and divides symmetrically to produce several mature glial cells. Thus, the glide/gcm-expressing cell, also called the fifth cell of the sensory organ, is indeed a glial precursor. This is the first reported case of symmetric division in the sensory organ lineage. These data indicate that the organization of the fly peripheral nervous system is more complex than previously thought.

scholarly journals Development of the central nervous system in guinea pig (Cavia porcellus, Rodentia, Caviidae)

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 753-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Menezes de Oliveira e Silva ◽  
Dayane Alcantara ◽  
Rafael Cardoso Carvalho ◽  
Phelipe Oliveira Favaron ◽  
Amilton Cesar dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Brain Tissue ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Neural Tube Closure ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Abstract: This study describes the development of the central nervous system in guinea pigs from 12th day post conception (dpc) until birth. Totally, 41 embryos and fetuses were analyzed macroscopically and by means of light and electron microscopy. The neural tube closure was observed at day 14 and the development of the spinal cord and differentiation of the primitive central nervous system vesicles was on 20th dpc. Histologically, undifferentiated brain tissue was observed as a mass of mesenchymal tissue between 18th and 20th dpc, and at 25th dpc the tissue within the medullary canal had higher density. On day 30 the brain tissue was differentiated on day 30 and the spinal cord filling throughout the spinal canal, period from which it was possible to observe cerebral and cerebellar stratums. At day 45 intumescences were visualized and cerebral hemispheres were divided, with a clear division between white and gray matter in brain and cerebellum. Median sulcus of the dorsal spinal cord and the cauda equina were only evident on day 50. There were no significant structural differences in fetuses of 50 and 60 dpc, and animals at term were all lissencephalic. In conclusion, morphological studies of the nervous system in guinea pig can provide important information for clinical studies in humans, due to its high degree of neurological maturity in relation to its short gestation period, what can provide a good tool for neurological studies.

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