title: Role of PACAP and VIP in astroglial functions.
abstract: Astrocytes represent at least 50% of the volume of the human brain. Besides their roles in various supportive functions, astrocytes are involved in the regulation of stem cell proliferation, synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection. Astrocytes also influence neuronal physiology by responding to neurotransmitters and neuropeptides and by releasing regulatory factors termed gliotransmitters. In particular, astrocytes express the PACAP-specific receptor PAC1-R and the PACAP/VIP mutual receptors VPAC1-R and VPAC2-R during development and/or in the adult. There is now clear evidence that PACAP and VIP modulate a number of astrocyte activities such as proliferation, plasticity, glycogen production, and biosynthesis of neurotrophic factors and gliotransmitters.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U413, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neuroendocrinology, France.
authors.forename: Olfa
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Masmoudi-Kouki
authors.forename: Pierrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gandolfo
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Castel
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leprince
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dejda
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vaudry
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tonon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006003:Glycogen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000502:physiology*; D051236:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000378:metabolism; D018005:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D051236:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D018005:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D006003:Glycogen