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Vol 80, No 4 (2021)
Review article
Submitted: 2020-07-28
Accepted: 2020-11-12
Published online: 2020-12-05
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Morphological and functional characteristics of satellite glial cells in the peripheral nervous system

A. Milosavljević1, J. Jančić2, A. Mirčić1, A. Dožić3, J. Boljanović4, M. Milisavljević4, M. Ćetković1
·
Pubmed: 33330971
·
Folia Morphol 2021;80(4):745-755.
Affiliations
  1. Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia
  2. Clinic of Neurology and Psychiatry for Children and Youth, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia
  3. Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia
  4. Laboratory for Vascular Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia

open access

Vol 80, No 4 (2021)
REVIEW ARTICLES
Submitted: 2020-07-28
Accepted: 2020-11-12
Published online: 2020-12-05

Abstract

Satellite glial cells are specialised cells that form a functional perineuronal sheath around sensory ganglion neurons. There are a large number of studies that reveal the morphological and functional characteristics of these cells. Satellite glial cells have been studied both in intact ganglions and in tissue cultures, using light and transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemical and other methods. Satellite glial cells have polygonal form; they are mononuclear and have developed synthetic organelles, numerous receptors, adhesion molecules and ion channels, which enable them to interact with adjacent neurons, as well as transmit signals in the ganglions of the peripheral nervous system. Based on the literature data, satellite glial cells thanks to their characteristics can receive signals from other cells and react to changes in their surroundings.
Previous studies have investigated the potential role of satellite glial cells in the formation of the blood-nervous tissue barrier of the peripheral nervous system, as well as in the neuropathic pain genesis. Some recent discoveries support the fact that satellite glial cells can participate in controlling of local viral infections and protecting pseudounipolar neurons from mentioned infections.

Abstract

Satellite glial cells are specialised cells that form a functional perineuronal sheath around sensory ganglion neurons. There are a large number of studies that reveal the morphological and functional characteristics of these cells. Satellite glial cells have been studied both in intact ganglions and in tissue cultures, using light and transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemical and other methods. Satellite glial cells have polygonal form; they are mononuclear and have developed synthetic organelles, numerous receptors, adhesion molecules and ion channels, which enable them to interact with adjacent neurons, as well as transmit signals in the ganglions of the peripheral nervous system. Based on the literature data, satellite glial cells thanks to their characteristics can receive signals from other cells and react to changes in their surroundings.
Previous studies have investigated the potential role of satellite glial cells in the formation of the blood-nervous tissue barrier of the peripheral nervous system, as well as in the neuropathic pain genesis. Some recent discoveries support the fact that satellite glial cells can participate in controlling of local viral infections and protecting pseudounipolar neurons from mentioned infections.

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Keywords

satellite glial cell, sensory ganglion, peripheral nervous system, pseudounipolar neuron

About this article
Title

Morphological and functional characteristics of satellite glial cells in the peripheral nervous system

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 80, No 4 (2021)

Article type

Review article

Pages

745-755

Published online

2020-12-05

Page views

7458

Article views/downloads

2741

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2020.0141

Pubmed

33330971

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2021;80(4):745-755.

Keywords

satellite glial cell
sensory ganglion
peripheral nervous system
pseudounipolar neuron

Authors

A. Milosavljević
J. Jančić
A. Mirčić
A. Dožić
J. Boljanović
M. Milisavljević
M. Ćetković

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