Glial mismanagement of neuromuscular structure and function in ALS

old_uid16007
titleGlial mismanagement of neuromuscular structure and function in ALS
start_date2018/06/08
schedule11h30
onlineno
summaryAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with a complex etiology. The destruction of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) is an early event that leads to muscle weakness and paralysis due to the denervation and retraction of nerve terminals from striated muscles. Despite the importance of NMJ denervation, NMJ vulnerability and resistance remain under-characterized and the mechanisms involved ill defined. We focus on the role of Perisynaptic Schwann Cells (PSCs), glial cells at this synapse, since they regulate NMJ synaptic transmission, morphological stability and repair. I will discuss ex vivo and in vivo experiments to illustrate that neuromuscular changes are precocious, with a strong influence of the local environment in the outcome of NMJ denervation in ALS. Data will be presented to suggest that targeting PSCs help restore NMJ innervation and muscle functions
responsiblesBousquet