Synantocytes: the fifth element

被引:150
作者
Butt, AM [1 ]
Hamilton, N [1 ]
Hubbard, P [1 ]
Pugh, M [1 ]
Ibrahim, M [1 ]
机构
[1] Kings Coll London, Wolfson Ctr Age Related Dis, London SE1 1UL, England
关键词
astrocyte; ATP; glia; glutamate; neuron glial signalling; NG2; oligodendrocyte; optic nerve; synantocyte;
D O I
10.1111/j.1469-7580.2005.00458.x
中图分类号
R602 [外科病理学、解剖学]; R32 [人体形态学];
学科分类号
100101 ;
摘要
Classic studies have recognized neurons and three glial elements in the central nervous system (CNS) - astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia. The identification of novel glia that specifically express the NG2 chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (CSPG) raises the possibility of a fifth element. Until recently, all NG2-expressing glia were considered to be oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) that persist in the adult CNS to generate oligodendrocytes throughout life. However, this narrow view of the function of 'NG2-glia' is being challenged. The majority of NG2-expressing glia in the adult CNS are a distinct class of cells that we have called 'synantocytes' (from the Greek synanto for contact). Synantocytes are stellate cells, with large process arborizations, and are exquisitely related to neurons. Individual cells traverse white and grey matter and form multiple contacts with neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and myelin. Synantocytes are an integral component of the 'tetrapartite' synapse, and provide a potential integrative neuron-glial communications pathway. Neuronal activity, glutamate and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) act on synantocyte receptors and evoke raised intracellular calcium. It remains to be seen whether this serves a physiological function, but synantocytes may be specialized to monitor signals from neurons and glia, and to respond to changes in the integrity of the CNS via their specific contacts and ion channel and receptor profiles. The general consequences of synantocyte activation are proliferation and phenotypic changes, resulting in glial scar formation, or regeneration of oligodendrocytes, and possibly neurons.
引用
收藏
页码:695 / 706
页数:12
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