Title:Neuronal-glial Interactions Define the Role of Nitric Oxide in Neural Functional Processes
VOLUME: 10 ISSUE: 4
Author(s):Antonio Contestabile, Barbara Monti and Elisabetta Polazzi
Affiliation:Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
Keywords:Nitric oxide, Nitric oxide synthases, Neurons, Astrocytes, Microglia
Abstract:Nitric oxide (NO) is a versatile cellular messenger performing a variety of physiologic and pathologic actions
in most tissues. It is particularly important in the nervous system, where it is involved in multiple functions, as well as in
neuropathology, when produced in excess. Several of these functions are based on interactions between NO produced by
neurons and NO produced by glial cells, mainly astrocytes and microglia. The present paper briefly reviews some of these
interactions, in particular those involved in metabolic regulation, control of cerebral blood flow, axonogenesis, synaptic
function and neurogenesis. Aim of the paper is mainly to underline the physiologic aspects of these interactions rather
than the pathologic ones.
