Satellite glial cells: Shaping peripheral input into the brain-body axis?
Pauline Meriau1, Rejji Kuruvilla2, Valeria Cavalli3
1Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Neuron
|July 1, 2025
Summary
Satellite glial cells (SGCs) are key players in the peripheral nervous system, actively regulating neural signaling. These glial cells influence health and disease by modulating sensory and autonomic input to the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Peripheral Nervous System Research
Background:
- Satellite glial cells (SGCs) traditionally considered supportive cells in the peripheral nervous system.
- Emerging evidence highlights SGCs' active role in regulating sensory and autonomic neuronal functions.
- Peripheral sensory and autonomic deficits are implicated in various disorders, including aging and heart failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on SGC functions beyond metabolic support.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms by which SGCs modulate neuronal activity.
- To examine changes in SGC molecular profiles during injury and disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing recent findings on SGCs.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms governing SGC-neuronal interactions.
- Examination of SGCs' role in peripheral nervous system disorders.
Main Results:
- SGCs dynamically regulate peripheral neural signaling.
- SGCs' molecular profiles change in response to injury and disease.
- SGCs influence the brain-body axis through peripheral modulation.
Conclusions:
- SGCs are critical regulators of peripheral nervous system function.
- Understanding SGCs offers insights into treating disorders linked to sensory and autonomic deficits.
- SGCs represent a potential therapeutic target for modulating brain-body axis communication.
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