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-...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.展开更多
Recently, cognitive impairments(CI) and behavioral abnormalities in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) have been reported. However, the underlying mechanisms have been poorly understood. In the current s...Recently, cognitive impairments(CI) and behavioral abnormalities in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) have been reported. However, the underlying mechanisms have been poorly understood. In the current study, we explored the role of gut microbiota in CI of ALS patients. We collected fecal samples from 35ALS patients and 35 healthy controls. The cognitive function of the ALS patients was evaluated using the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen. We analyzed these samples by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing as well as both untargeted and targeted(bile acids) metabolite mapping between patients with CI and patients with normal cognition(CN). We found altered gut microbial communities and a lower ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes in the CI group, compared with the CN group. In addition, the untargeted metabolite mapping revealed that 26 and 17 metabolites significantly increased and decreased, respectively, in the CI group, compared with the CN group. These metabolites were mapped to the metabolic pathways associated with bile acids. We further found that cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid were significantly lower in the CI group than in the CN group. In conclusion, we found that the gut microbiota and its metabolome profile differed between ALS patients with and without CI and that the altered bile acid profile in fecal samples was significantly associated with CI in ALS patients. These results need to be replicated in larger studies in the future.展开更多
The glia are the cells in the central nervous system(CNS)that originally were considered to only provide support,protection,and nutrition for neurons.The glia outnumber the neurons in the brain and spinal cord,the rat...The glia are the cells in the central nervous system(CNS)that originally were considered to only provide support,protection,and nutrition for neurons.The glia outnumber the neurons in the brain and spinal cord,the ratio of these two types of cells varies across species and tissues.The word"glia"comes from"glue",describing the cells that surround neurons and gathering them together like glue.However,in the past decades,studies gradually revealed the key roles of the glia and their heterogeneity in term of categorie and function.展开更多
基金supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology China Brain Initiative Grant(2022ZD0204704)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81974180)the Young Excellent Medical Scholarship of Hubei Province(2020LJRCO11).
文摘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.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grants No.2018YFE0118900 and 2021YFC2502200)the clinical research project of the Bethune Charitable Foundation。
文摘Recently, cognitive impairments(CI) and behavioral abnormalities in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) have been reported. However, the underlying mechanisms have been poorly understood. In the current study, we explored the role of gut microbiota in CI of ALS patients. We collected fecal samples from 35ALS patients and 35 healthy controls. The cognitive function of the ALS patients was evaluated using the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen. We analyzed these samples by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing as well as both untargeted and targeted(bile acids) metabolite mapping between patients with CI and patients with normal cognition(CN). We found altered gut microbial communities and a lower ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes in the CI group, compared with the CN group. In addition, the untargeted metabolite mapping revealed that 26 and 17 metabolites significantly increased and decreased, respectively, in the CI group, compared with the CN group. These metabolites were mapped to the metabolic pathways associated with bile acids. We further found that cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid were significantly lower in the CI group than in the CN group. In conclusion, we found that the gut microbiota and its metabolome profile differed between ALS patients with and without CI and that the altered bile acid profile in fecal samples was significantly associated with CI in ALS patients. These results need to be replicated in larger studies in the future.
文摘The glia are the cells in the central nervous system(CNS)that originally were considered to only provide support,protection,and nutrition for neurons.The glia outnumber the neurons in the brain and spinal cord,the ratio of these two types of cells varies across species and tissues.The word"glia"comes from"glue",describing the cells that surround neurons and gathering them together like glue.However,in the past decades,studies gradually revealed the key roles of the glia and their heterogeneity in term of categorie and function.
