Production, regulation and role of nitric oxide in glial cells

The central ne rvous system (CNS) consists of tw o major ce ll type s, neurones and glial ce lls. Neuronal communication w ith other neurone s or glial c ells is effected mainly through ne uro-transmitte rs and peptides, w hile glial ce lls appear to use an abundant range of factors for the communication w ith either ne urone s or other glial c ells. The communication betw een ne urone s can span large distances in the body, w hile glial c ell communication is mainly local or paracrine . During the past decade it has become clear that the glial c ells named afte r glue (= glia) have more functions besides acting as a “nerve-glue” to form the brain. ,2 The glial ce lls appeared to be e ssential for ne uronal prote ction, survival and outgrow th during deve lopment and for the neuronal degeneration and regeneration under pathological conditions. In this review we summarize glial ce ll functions and focus on the role , production and regulation of nitric ox ide (NO), a molecule w hich has be en show n to be involved in various ne uroimmune proce sse s.