Connexins in neurons and glia: targets for intervention in disease and injury.
Both neurons and glia throughout the central nervous system are organized into networks by gap junctions. Among glia, gap junctions facilitate metabolic homeostasis and intercellular communication. Among neurons, gap junctions form electrical synapses that function primarily for communication. However, in neurodegenerative states due to disease or injury gap junctions may be detrimental to survival. Electrical synapses may facilitate hyperactivity and bystander killing among neurons, while gap junction hemichannels in glia may facilitate inflammatory signaling and scar formation. Advances in understanding mechanisms of plasticity of electrical synapses and development of molecular therapeutics to target glial gap junctions and hemichannels offer new hope to pharmacologically limit neuronal degeneration and enhance recovery.
Richard S. Ruiz, M.D. Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA.
Keith B
KB
Moore
Richard S. Ruiz, M.D. Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA ; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA.
John
J
O'Brien
NMDA receptors; adenosine receptors; amacrine cells; astrocytes; connexin mimetic peptides; dopamine receptors; ischemia; retinal degeneration