Updated Understanding of the Glial-Vascular Unit in Central Nervous System Disorders.
10.1007/s12264-022-00977-9
- Author:
Di YAO
1
;
Ruoying ZHANG
1
;
Minjie XIE
1
;
Fengfei DING
2
;
Minghuan WANG
1
;
Wei WANG
3
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
2. Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
3. Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China. wwang@vip.126.com.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Alzheimer’s disease;
Blood-brain barrier;
Glial-vascular unit;
Glymphatic system;
Ischemic stroke;
Major depression disorder;
Perivascular space;
Spinal cord injury
- MeSH:
Humans;
Neuroglia;
Nervous System Diseases;
Blood-Brain Barrier;
Alzheimer Disease;
Glymphatic System
- From:
Neuroscience Bulletin
2023;39(3):503-518
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The concept of the glial-vascular unit (GVU) was raised recently to emphasize the close associations between brain cells and cerebral vessels, and their coordinated reactions to diverse neurological insults from a "glio-centric" view. GVU is a multicellular structure composed of glial cells, perivascular cells, and perivascular space. Each component is closely linked, collectively forming the GVU. The central roles of glial and perivascular cells and their multi-level interconnections in the GVU under normal conditions and in central nervous system (CNS) disorders have not been elucidated in detail. Here, we comprehensively review the intensive interactions between glial cells and perivascular cells in the niche of perivascular space, which take part in the modulation of cerebral blood flow and angiogenesis, formation of the blood-brain barrier, and clearance of neurotoxic wastes. Next, we discuss dysfunctions of the GVU in various neurological diseases, including ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, and major depression disorder. In addition, we highlight the possible therapies targeting the GVU, which may have potential clinical applications.
