Title
Sculpting the nervous system: glial control of neuronal development
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Neurobiology; Freeman Lab
Publication Date
2-2006
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Animals; Axons; Cell Death; Dendrites; Nervous System; Neuroglia; Neurons; Stem Cells; Synapses
Disciplines
Neuroscience and Neurobiology
Abstract
Glial cells are not passive spectators during nervous system assembly, rather they are active participants that exert significant control over neuronal development. Well-established roles for glia in shaping the developing nervous system include providing trophic support to neurons, modulating axon pathfinding, and driving nerve fasciculation. Exciting recent studies have revealed additional ways in which glial cells also modulate neurodevelopment. Glial cells regulate the number of neurons at early developmental stages by dynamically influencing neural precursor divisions, and at later stages by promoting neuronal cell death through engulfment. Glia also participate in the fine sculpting of neuronal connections by pruning excess axonal projections, shaping dendritic spines, and secreting multiple factors that promote synapse formation and functional maturation. These recent insights provide further compelling evidence that glial cells, through their diverse cellular actions, are essential contributors to the construction of a functionally mature nervous system.
DOI of Published Version
10.1016/j.conb.2005.12.004
Source
Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2006 Feb;16(1):119-25. Epub 2006 Jan 4. Link to article on publisher's site
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Current opinion in neurobiology
Related Resources
PubMed ID
16387489
Repository Citation
Freeman, Marc R., "Sculpting the nervous system: glial control of neuronal development" (2006). Neurobiology Publications and Presentations. 61.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/neurobiology_pp/61