title: Astrocytic control of neural circuit formation: highlights on TGF-beta signaling.
abstract: Brain function depends critically on the coordinated activity of presynaptic and postsynaptic signals derived from both neurons and non-neuronal elements such as glial cells. A key role for astrocytes in neuronal differentiation and circuitry formation has emerged within the last decade. Although the function of glial cells in synapse formation, elimination and efficacy has greatly increased, we are still very far from deeply understanding the molecular and cellular mechanism underlying these events. The present review discusses the mechanisms driving astrocytic control of excitatory and inhibitory synapse formation in the central nervous system, especially the mechanisms mediated by soluble molecules, particularly those from the TGF-β family. Further, we discuss whether and how human astrocytes might contribute to the acquisition of human cognition. We argue that understanding how astrocytic signals regulate synaptic development might offer new insights into human perception, learning, memory, and cognition and, ultimately, provide new targets for the treatment of neurological diseases.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luan Pereira
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Diniz
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Isadora C Pereira
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Matias
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Matheus Nunes
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: fgomes@icb.ufrj.br.
authors.forename: Flávia Carvalho Alcantara
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Gomes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta
keywords: Astrocyte; Excitatory synapse; Synapse elimination; Synaptogenesis; TGF-β1