Glia and central cardiorespiratory pathology

E Myfanwy Cohen; Melissa M J Farnham; Zohra Kakall; Seung Jae Kim; Polina E Nedoboy; Paul M Pilowsky

doi:10.1016/j.autneu.2018.08.003

Glia and central cardiorespiratory pathology

Auton Neurosci. 2018 Nov:214:24-34. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2018.08.003. Epub 2018 Aug 24.

Authors

E Myfanwy Cohen¹, Melissa M J Farnham¹, Zohra Kakall¹, Seung Jae Kim¹, Polina E Nedoboy¹, Paul M Pilowsky²

Affiliations

¹ The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2042, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
² The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2042, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia. Electronic address: ppilowsky@gmail.com.

PMID: 30172674
DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2018.08.003

Abstract

Respiration and blood pressure are primarily controlled by somatic and autonomic motor neurones, respectively. Central cardiorespiratory control is critical in moment-to-moment survival, but it also has a role in the development and maintenance of chronic pathological conditions such as hypertension. The glial cells of the brain are non-neuronal cells with metabolic, immune, and developmental functions. Recent evidence shows that glia play an active role in supporting and regulating the neuronal circuitry which drives the cardiorespiratory system. Here we will review the activities of two key types of glial cell, microglia and astrocytes, in assisting normal central cardiorespiratory control and in pathology.

Keywords: Astrocytes; Autonomic; Hypertension; Hypoxia; Inflammation; Microglia.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Humans
Hypertension / pathology*
Myocardial Infarction / pathology*
Neuroglia / pathology*
Neurons / pathology