Connexins Signatures of the Neurovascular Unit and Their Physio-Pathological Functions
Central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis is closely linked to the delicate balance of the microenvironment in which different cellular components of the neurovascular unit (NVU) coexist. Intercellular communication plays a pivotal role in exchanges of signaling molecules and mediators essential for...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-08-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/17/9510 |
| _version_ | 1797495422277648384 |
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| author | Nunzio Vicario Rosalba Parenti |
| author_facet | Nunzio Vicario Rosalba Parenti |
| author_sort | Nunzio Vicario |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis is closely linked to the delicate balance of the microenvironment in which different cellular components of the neurovascular unit (NVU) coexist. Intercellular communication plays a pivotal role in exchanges of signaling molecules and mediators essential for survival functions, as well as in the removal of disturbing elements that can lead to related pathologies. The specific signatures of connexins (Cxs), proteins which form either gap junctions (GJs) or hemichannels (HCs), represent the biological substrate of the pathophysiological balance. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is undoubtedly one of the most important factors in glia–neuro–vascular crosstalk. Herein, Cxs signatures of every NVU component are highlighted and their critical influence on functional processes in healthy and pathological conditions of nervous microenvironment is reviewed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:48:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-afb496392ce2427d8efecdbdb67dc9bf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:48:26Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-afb496392ce2427d8efecdbdb67dc9bf2023-11-23T13:11:54ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672022-08-012317951010.3390/ijms23179510Connexins Signatures of the Neurovascular Unit and Their Physio-Pathological FunctionsNunzio Vicario0Rosalba Parenti1Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), Section of Physiology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyCentral nervous system (CNS) homeostasis is closely linked to the delicate balance of the microenvironment in which different cellular components of the neurovascular unit (NVU) coexist. Intercellular communication plays a pivotal role in exchanges of signaling molecules and mediators essential for survival functions, as well as in the removal of disturbing elements that can lead to related pathologies. The specific signatures of connexins (Cxs), proteins which form either gap junctions (GJs) or hemichannels (HCs), represent the biological substrate of the pathophysiological balance. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is undoubtedly one of the most important factors in glia–neuro–vascular crosstalk. Herein, Cxs signatures of every NVU component are highlighted and their critical influence on functional processes in healthy and pathological conditions of nervous microenvironment is reviewed.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/17/9510intercellular communicationastrocytesmicroglianeuroinflammationneurodegenerationconnexin 43 |
| spellingShingle | Nunzio Vicario Rosalba Parenti Connexins Signatures of the Neurovascular Unit and Their Physio-Pathological Functions International Journal of Molecular Sciences intercellular communication astrocytes microglia neuroinflammation neurodegeneration connexin 43 |
| title | Connexins Signatures of the Neurovascular Unit and Their Physio-Pathological Functions |
| title_full | Connexins Signatures of the Neurovascular Unit and Their Physio-Pathological Functions |
| title_fullStr | Connexins Signatures of the Neurovascular Unit and Their Physio-Pathological Functions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Connexins Signatures of the Neurovascular Unit and Their Physio-Pathological Functions |
| title_short | Connexins Signatures of the Neurovascular Unit and Their Physio-Pathological Functions |
| title_sort | connexins signatures of the neurovascular unit and their physio pathological functions |
| topic | intercellular communication astrocytes microglia neuroinflammation neurodegeneration connexin 43 |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/17/9510 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nunziovicario connexinssignaturesoftheneurovascularunitandtheirphysiopathologicalfunctions AT rosalbaparenti connexinssignaturesoftheneurovascularunitandtheirphysiopathologicalfunctions |