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Connexins Signatures of the Neurovascular Unit and Their Physio-Pathological Functions

Journal

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179510

Keywords

intercellular communication; astrocytes; microglia; neuroinflammation; neurodegeneration; connexin 43

Funding

  1. [PON AIM R&I 2014-2020-E66C18001240007]

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This article discusses the important role of connexins in the neurovascular unit, emphasizing their critical influence on functional processes in the nervous microenvironment in both healthy and pathological conditions.
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.

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