Peripheral nervous system glia in support of metabolic tissue functions

• Published in: Trends in endocrinology and metabolism Vol. 34; no. 10; pp. 622 - 639
• Main Authors: Gunsch, Gilian, Paradie, Emma, Townsend, Kristy L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2023
• Subjects: Endocrinology and Metabolism; peripheral glia; peripheral nerves; PNS glia (PNSG); Schwann cells; peripheral glia; peripheral nerves; PNS glia (PNSG); Schwann cells
• ISSN: 1043-2760; 1879-3061; 1879-3061
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.07.004

Peripheral nervous system glia (PNSG), which can exhibit tissue-specific phenotypes, are present in numerous organs and tissues that carry out important metabolic functions.Schwann cell (SC)-mediated nerve repair is impaired in metabolic disease states, including diabetes, obesity, and aging.Crosstalk between peripheral glia and peripheral nerves can be facilitated through lipid metabolites.PNSG in lymphatic tissues participate in neuroimmune interactions and may disrupt lymphatic vasculature functions during chronic inflammation.SCs adopt tissue-specific functions to fulfill specialized roles, including within various metabolically important tissues, such as adipose, spleen, muscle, and lymph nodes. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) relays information between organs and tissues and the brain and spine to maintain homeostasis, regulate tissue functions, and respond to interoceptive and exteroceptive signals. Glial cells perform support roles to maintain nerve function, plasticity, and survival. The glia of the central nervous system (CNS) are well characterized, but PNS glia (PNSG) populations, particularly tissue-specific subtypes, are underexplored. PNSG are found in large nerves (such as the sciatic), the ganglia, and the tissues themselves, and can crosstalk with a range of cell types in addition to neurons. PNSG are also subject to phenotypic changes in response to signals from their local tissue environment, including metabolic changes. These topics and the importance of PNSG in metabolically active tissues, such as adipose, muscle, heart, and lymphatic tissues, are outlined in this review. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) relays information between organs and tissues and the brain and spine to maintain homeostasis, regulate tissue functions, and respond to interoceptive and exteroceptive signals. Glial cells perform support roles to maintain nerve function, plasticity, and survival. The glia of the central nervous system (CNS) are well characterized, but PNS glia (PNSG) populations, particularly tissue-specific subtypes, are underexplored. PNSG are found in large nerves (such as the sciatic), the ganglia, and the tissues themselves, and can crosstalk with a range of cell types in addition to neurons. PNSG are also subject to phenotypic changes in response to signals from their local tissue environment, including metabolic changes. These topics and the importance of PNSG in metabolically active tissues, such as adipose, muscle, heart, and lymphatic tissues, are outlined in this review.