1
|
Laricchiuta D, Papi M, Decandia D, Panuccio A, Cutuli D, Peciccia M, Mazzeschi C, Petrosini L. The role of glial cells in mental illness: a systematic review on astroglia and microglia as potential players in schizophrenia and its cognitive and emotional aspects. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1358450. [PMID: 38419655 PMCID: PMC10899480 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1358450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental disorder that affects approximately 1% of the global population. It is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and cognitive impairment. Recent research has suggested that the immune system dysregulation may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and glial cells, such as astroglia and microglia known to be involved in neuroinflammation and immune regulation, have emerged as potential players in this process. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the glial hallmarks of schizophrenia, choosing as cellular candidate the astroglia and microglia, and focusing also on disease-associated psychological (cognitive and emotional) changes. We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles that investigated the differences in astroglia and microglia in patients with schizophrenia, published in the last 5 years. The present systematic review indicates that changes in the density, morphology, and functioning of astroglia and microglia may be involved in the development of schizophrenia. The glial alterations may contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia by dysregulating neurotransmission and immune responses, worsening cognitive capabilities. The complex interplay of astroglial and microglial activation, genetic/epigenetic variations, and cognitive assessments underscores the intricate relationship between biological mechanisms, symptomatology, and cognitive functioning in schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Laricchiuta
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Papi
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Davide Decandia
- Laboratory of Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Panuccio
- Laboratory of Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Debora Cutuli
- Laboratory of Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Peciccia
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudia Mazzeschi
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Laura Petrosini
- Laboratory of Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Matuleviciute R, Akinluyi ET, Muntslag TAO, Dewing JM, Long KR, Vernon AC, Tremblay ME, Menassa DA. Microglial contribution to the pathology of neurodevelopmental disorders in humans. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 146:663-683. [PMID: 37656188 PMCID: PMC10564830 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02629-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Microglia are the brain's resident macrophages, which guide various developmental processes crucial for brain maturation, activity, and plasticity. Microglial progenitors enter the telencephalic wall by the 4th postconceptional week and colonise the fetal brain in a manner that spatiotemporally tracks key neurodevelopmental processes in humans. However, much of what we know about how microglia shape neurodevelopment comes from rodent studies. Multiple differences exist between human and rodent microglia warranting further focus on the human condition, particularly as microglia are emerging as critically involved in the pathological signature of various cognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this article, we review the evidence supporting microglial involvement in basic neurodevelopmental processes by focusing on the human species. We next concur on the neuropathological evidence demonstrating whether and how microglia contribute to the aetiology of two neurodevelopmental disorders: autism spectrum conditions and schizophrenia. Next, we highlight how recent technologies have revolutionised our understanding of microglial biology with a focus on how these tools can help us elucidate at unprecedented resolution the links between microglia and neurodevelopmental disorders. We conclude by reviewing which current treatment approaches have shown most promise towards targeting microglia in neurodevelopmental disorders and suggest novel avenues for future consideration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rugile Matuleviciute
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth T Akinluyi
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Tim A O Muntslag
- Princess Maxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Katherine R Long
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony C Vernon
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - David A Menassa
- Department of Neuropathology & The Queen's College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li J, Wang Y, Yuan X, Kang Y, Song X. New insight in the cross-talk between microglia and schizophrenia: From the perspective of neurodevelopment. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1126632. [PMID: 36873215 PMCID: PMC9978517 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1126632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Characterized by psychotic symptoms, negative symptoms and cognitive deficits, schizophrenia had a catastrophic effect on patients and their families. Multifaceted reliable evidence indicated that schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Microglia, the immune cells in central nervous system, related to many neurodevelopmental diseases. Microglia could affect neuronal survival, neuronal death and synaptic plasticity during neurodevelopment. Anomalous microglia during neurodevelopment may be associated with schizophrenia. Therefore, a hypothesis proposes that the abnormal function of microglia leads to the occurrence of schizophrenia. Nowadays, accumulating experiments between microglia and schizophrenia could afford unparalleled probability to assess this hypothesis. Herein, this review summarizes the latest supporting evidence in order to shed light on the mystery of microglia in schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Psychiatric Transformation Research Key Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yu Wang
- College of First Clinical, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiuxia Yuan
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Psychiatric Transformation Research Key Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yulin Kang
- Institute of Environmental Information, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xueqin Song
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Psychiatric Transformation Research Key Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wimberley C, Buvat I, Boutin H. Imaging translocator protein expression with positron emission tomography. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021; 49:74-76. [PMID: 34729627 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-021-05601-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Catriona Wimberley
- Edinburgh Imaging QMRI, BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Chancellor's Building, BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH14 4SB, UK
| | - Irene Buvat
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Inserm, U1288 LITO, Orsay, France
| | - Hervé Boutin
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Brain and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. .,Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 3LJ, UK. .,Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance & University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| |
Collapse
|