Cajal's contributions to glia research

García-Marín, Virginia; García-López, Pablo; Freire, Miguel

doi:10.1016/j.tins.2007.06.008

Cited by 130 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 50 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…As mentioned above, Cajal systematically studied astrocytes from a structural standpoint [2], and until very recently, our understanding of astrocytic morphology has been largely based on Cajal's metal impregnation methods, or on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining. These methods both permit static endpoint assessment of cells, providing only a snapshot of their structure and function.…”

Section: Astrocyte Signallingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the concept of astrocytes as active participants is not entirely new: in 1895 Santiago Ram'on y Cajal proposed that astrocytes control sleep and waking states [1]. Cajal hypothesized that astrocytic processes act as insulators surrounding neurons to facilitate sleep, and then retracting to allow neuronal communication facilitating wakefulness [2]. A century of research since the time of Cajal has provided support for parts of his original suggestion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Astrocytic adenosine: from synapses to psychiatric disorders

Hines

Haydon

2014

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although it is considered to be the most complex organ in the body, the brain can be broadly classified into two major types of cells, neuronal cells and glial cells. Glia is a general term that encompasses multiple types of non-neuronal cells that function to maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and provide support and protection for neurons. Astrocytes, a major class of glial cell, have historically been viewed as passive support cells, but recently it has been discovered that astrocytes participate in signalling activities both with the vasculature and with neurons at the synapse. These cells have been shown to release D-serine, TNF-a, glutamate, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and ATP among other signalling molecules. ATP and its metabolites are well established as important signalling molecules, and astrocytes represent a major source of ATP release in the nervous system. Novel molecular and genetic tools have recently shown that astrocytic release of ATP and other signalling molecules has a major impact on synaptic transmission. Via actions at the synapse, astrocytes have now been shown to regulate complex network signalling in the whole organism with impacts on respiration and the sleep-wake cycle. In addition, new roles for astrocytes are being uncovered in psychiatric disorders, and astrocyte signalling mechanisms represents an attractive target for novel therapeutic agents.

show abstract

Section: Astrocyte Signallingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Astrocytic adenosine: from synapses to psychiatric disorders

Hines

Haydon

2014

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…They have long been known to be critical for providing structural and nutritional support for neurons [1,2], but because astrocytes cannot fire action potentials, their contribution to fast signal processing in the brain has been largely dismissed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dissecting tripartite synapses with STED microscopy

Panatier

Arizono

Nägerl

2014

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The concept of the tripartite synapse reflects the important role that astrocytic processes are thought to play in the function and regulation of neuronal synapses in the mammalian nervous system. However, many basic aspects regarding the dynamic interplay between pre-and postsynaptic neuronal structures and their astrocytic partners remain to be explored. A major experimental hurdle has been the small physical size of the relevant glial and synaptic structures, leaving them largely out of reach for conventional light microscopic approaches such as confocal and two-photon microscopy. Hence, most of what we know about the organization of the tripartite synapse is based on electron microscopy, which does not lend itself to investigating dynamic events and which cannot be carried out in parallel with functional assays. The development and application of superresolution microscopy for neuron-glia research is opening up exciting experimental opportunities in this regard. In this paper, we provide a basic explanation of the theory and operation of stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, outlining the potential of this recent superresolution imaging modality for advancing our understanding of the morpho-functional interactions between astrocytes and neurons that regulate synaptic physiology.

show abstract

“…Although the relevance of glial cells in regulating brain activity was predicted by Ramon y Cajal more than a century ago (García-Marín et al, 2007), it was not until almost fifty years ago that initial descriptions of a close functional relationship between neuroglia and neuronal perikarya (Hyden, 1962) or axonal processes (Blunt et al, 1965) began to reveal that neurons and glial cells operate as functional units in the central nervous system (CNS). However, this functional interaction has only been more carefully studied and analysed in the last few decades, generating a substantial increase in research on the roles of neuronglia interactions in the control of brain function.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%