中国神经再生研究(英文版) ›› 2020, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (3): 438-447.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.266047

• 综述:周围神经损伤修复保护与再生 • 上一篇    下一篇

周围神经中的轴突是否通过谷氨酸释放与许旺细胞相通?

  

  • 出版日期:2020-03-15 发布日期:2020-05-26

Glutamate receptors and glutamatergic signalling in the peripheral nerves

Ting-Jiun Chen1, Maria Kukley2, 3   

  1. 1 Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s Research Institute, Children’s National Medical Centre, Washington, DC, USA
    2 Group of Neuron Glia Interaction, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
    3 Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
  • Online:2020-03-15 Published:2020-05-26
  • Contact: Maria Kukley, PhD,maria.kukley@uni-tuebingen.de.
  • Supported by:
    The work in the laboratory of Maria Kukley was supported by the Excellence Strategy Program of the University of Tübingen (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, ZUK63).

摘要: orcid: 0000-0002-4567-1241 (Maria Kukley)

Abstract: In the peripheral nervous system, the vast majority of axons are accommodated within the fibre bundles that constitute the peripheral nerves. Axons within the nerves are in close contact with myelinating glia, the Schwann cells that are ideally placed to respond to, and possibly shape, axonal activity. The mechanisms of intercellular communication in the peripheral nerves may involve direct contact between the cells, as well as signalling via diffusible substances. Neurotransmitter glutamate has been proposed as a candidate extracellular molecule mediating the cross-talk between cells in the peripheral nerves. Two types of experimental findings support this idea: first, glutamate has been detected in the nerves and can be released upon electrical or chemical stimulation of the nerves; second, axons and Schwann cells in the peripheral nerves express glutamate receptors. Yet, the studies providing direct experimental evidence that intercellular glutamatergic signalling takes place in the peripheral nerves during physiological or pathological conditions are largely missing. Remarkably, in the central nervous system, axons and myelinating glia are involved in glutamatergic signalling. This signalling occurs via different mechanisms, the most intriguing of which is fast synaptic communication between axons and oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Glutamate receptors and/or synaptic axon-glia signalling are involved in regulation of proliferation, migration, and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells, survival of oligodendrocytes, and re-myelination of axons after damage. Does synaptic signalling exist between axons and Schwann cells in the peripheral nerves? What is the functional role of glutamate receptors in the peripheral nerves? Is activation of glutamate receptors in the nerves beneficial or harmful during diseases? In this review, we summarise the limited information regarding glutamate release and glutamate receptors in the peripheral nerves and speculate about possible mechanisms of glutamatergic signalling in the nerves. We highlight the necessity of further research on this topic because it should help to understand the mechanisms of peripheral nervous system development and nerve regeneration during diseases.

Key words: AMPA receptors, axons, glutamate, metabotropic glutamate receptors, myelination, nerve injury, NMDA receptors, peripheral nervous system, PNS, Schwann cells, synaptic signalling