Researchers have identified a novel mechanism by which glial cells detect and respond to neuron damage. This study, published in Nature Communications, reveals that two key proteins enable glial cells to monitor the cilia extending from nematode dendrites, allowing them to respond to injuries and prevent further damage.
Glial cells, often overshadowed by neurons, play crucial roles in providing nutrients, cleaning waste, and protecting neurons. The research team, led by Shai Shaham at Rockefeller University, aimed to understand how glial cells interact with dendrites, which are essential for neuronal communication.
Utilizing the model organism C. elegans, the researchers employed CRISPR technology to engineer nematodes with disrupted cilia and altered glial responses. They tracked glial activity using fluorescence microscopy and RNA sequencing, identifying a new signaling pathway involving the neuronal protein DGS-1 and the glial protein FIG-1.
The findings suggest that similar mechanisms may exist in mammals, potentially informing treatments for diseases related to defective cilia, such as polycystic kidney disease. The study sets the stage for further research into glia-dendrite interactions across species.