The importance of glia in the development and function of the nervous system is often underestimated. However, recent research has shed light on how glia function in the nervous system, including their role in development, maintenance, and disease. Studies have shown that glia significantly regulates neurons’ number, shape, and position in developing and mature nervous system tissues, including the brain, retina, and peripheral nerves.
Historically, glial cells have been overlooked in the nervous system, but we now know that the intricate workings of the nervous system are influenced by their crucial roles. It is imperative to continue researching and understanding the complexity of the nervous system and the role of glia within it. These cells contribute significantly to the overall patterning of nervous tissue and even cortical region identity. The subtype, shape, and patterning of glia are vital factors determining their ability to perform many essential functions throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems, including the retina. The precise distribution, subtype identity, and morphology of glial cells are critical for the higher organisms' overall patterning of nervous tissue, cortical region identity, and retinal patterning. Breakdown in any of these aspects of glial function is often sufficient to cause neuron deterioration and disease. Ongoing research will attain much-needed insights into the complex mechanisms by which glia contribute to proper nervous system functioning. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to highlight new areas of glial cell biology research that are paving the way to a future where these cells are better understood.
The Topic Editors welcome submissions of various article types (including Original Research, Brief Research Reports, (Mini-) Reviews, Methods, and Perspectives) focusing on, but not limited to, the following subthemes:
· How glial subtypes arise and how they are distinguished in different regions, including the retina, cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, and periphery
· How particular glial morphologies arise throughout the nervous system
· The importance of glial morphology, positioning, and patterning during the development or maintenance of the nervous system
· Disrupted glial morphologies that are causative or indicative of disease
· The mechanisms by which glia interact with neurons to provide metabolic, homeostatic, or electrical support
· Interactions between glia and the immune system across normal and diseased nervous systems
Keywords:
glia, patterning, nerual organization, nervous system, neurons, glial cells, glial morphology
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
The importance of glia in the development and function of the nervous system is often underestimated. However, recent research has shed light on how glia function in the nervous system, including their role in development, maintenance, and disease. Studies have shown that glia significantly regulates neurons’ number, shape, and position in developing and mature nervous system tissues, including the brain, retina, and peripheral nerves.
Historically, glial cells have been overlooked in the nervous system, but we now know that the intricate workings of the nervous system are influenced by their crucial roles. It is imperative to continue researching and understanding the complexity of the nervous system and the role of glia within it. These cells contribute significantly to the overall patterning of nervous tissue and even cortical region identity. The subtype, shape, and patterning of glia are vital factors determining their ability to perform many essential functions throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems, including the retina. The precise distribution, subtype identity, and morphology of glial cells are critical for the higher organisms' overall patterning of nervous tissue, cortical region identity, and retinal patterning. Breakdown in any of these aspects of glial function is often sufficient to cause neuron deterioration and disease. Ongoing research will attain much-needed insights into the complex mechanisms by which glia contribute to proper nervous system functioning. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to highlight new areas of glial cell biology research that are paving the way to a future where these cells are better understood.
The Topic Editors welcome submissions of various article types (including Original Research, Brief Research Reports, (Mini-) Reviews, Methods, and Perspectives) focusing on, but not limited to, the following subthemes:
· How glial subtypes arise and how they are distinguished in different regions, including the retina, cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, and periphery
· How particular glial morphologies arise throughout the nervous system
· The importance of glial morphology, positioning, and patterning during the development or maintenance of the nervous system
· Disrupted glial morphologies that are causative or indicative of disease
· The mechanisms by which glia interact with neurons to provide metabolic, homeostatic, or electrical support
· Interactions between glia and the immune system across normal and diseased nervous systems
Keywords:
glia, patterning, nerual organization, nervous system, neurons, glial cells, glial morphology
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.