英國研究人員最新研究發(fā)現(xiàn),，星形膠質(zhì)細(xì)胞在調(diào)節(jié)呼吸方面發(fā)揮著關(guān)鍵作用,。該發(fā)現(xiàn)表明大腦組織功能與呼吸衰竭有密切關(guān)系，而星形膠質(zhì)細(xì)胞或可成為防止呼吸衰竭的治療標(biāo)靶,。該研究發(fā)表將發(fā)表《科學(xué)》（Science）雜志上,。
神經(jīng)膠質(zhì)細(xì)胞是哺乳動(dòng)物神經(jīng)組織中除神經(jīng)元以外的另一大類細(xì)胞，其數(shù)量為神經(jīng)元的10倍,。直到最近,，科學(xué)家都認(rèn)為神經(jīng)膠質(zhì)細(xì)胞只是為神經(jīng)元提供結(jié)構(gòu)和營養(yǎng)支持，而星形膠質(zhì)細(xì)胞作為神經(jīng)膠質(zhì)細(xì)胞中最大的一種,，則只是在神經(jīng)元間起到聯(lián)結(jié)紐帶的作用,。
英國布里斯托大學(xué)和倫敦大學(xué)學(xué)院的研究人員通過先進(jìn)的基因轉(zhuǎn)移技術(shù)，對(duì)小鼠大腦中星形膠質(zhì)細(xì)胞的活動(dòng)進(jìn)行觀察后發(fā)現(xiàn),，該種細(xì)胞的化學(xué)敏感度極高,，能夠感知血液中二氧化碳水平的變化,，當(dāng)二氧化碳含量過高時(shí)，它們會(huì)釋放化學(xué)信號(hào)三磷酸腺苷（ATP）,，刺激大腦神經(jīng)中樞調(diào)整呼吸強(qiáng)度,，以移除血液中過多的二氧化碳。
研究人員表示,，該發(fā)現(xiàn)表明,，星形膠質(zhì)細(xì)胞可根據(jù)不斷變化的新陳代謝和活動(dòng)需要來調(diào)節(jié)呼吸強(qiáng)度，它在呼吸調(diào)節(jié)方面居于中心地位,。而神經(jīng)膠質(zhì)細(xì)胞功能障礙很可能與嬰兒猝死綜合征或先天中樞性換氣不足癥有關(guān),。如果這個(gè)假設(shè)正確，星形膠質(zhì)細(xì)胞則可作為防止呼吸衰竭的潛在治療標(biāo)靶,。(生物谷Bioon.com)
生物谷推薦原文出處：
Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1190721
Astrocytes Control Breathing Through pH-Dependent Release of ATP
Alexander V. Gourine,1,* Vitaliy Kasymov,1 Nephtali Marina,1 Feige Tang,2 Melina F. Figueiredo,2 Samantha Lane,2 Anja G. Teschemacher,2 K. Michael Spyer,1 Karl Deisseroth,3 Sergey Kasparov2,*
Astrocytes provide structural and metabolic support for neuronal networks, but direct evidence demonstrating their active role in complex behaviors is limited. Central respiratory chemosensitivity is an essential mechanism which, via regulation of breathing, maintains constant levels of blood and brain PCO2/pH. We found that astrocytes of the brainstem chemoreceptor areas are highly chemosensitive. They responded to physiological decreases in pH with vigorous elevations in intracellular Ca2+ and release of ATP. ATP propagated astrocytic Ca2+ excitation, activated chemoreceptor neurons, and induced adaptive increases in breathing. Mimicking pH-evoked Ca2+ responses by optogenetic stimulation of astrocytes expressing channelrhodopsin-2 activated chemoreceptor neurons via ATP-dependent mechanism and triggered robust respiratory responses in vivo. This demonstrates a potentially crucial role for brain glial cells in mediating a fundamental physiological reflex.
1 Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT.
2 Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom.
3 Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
