Pioneering efforts of Hens Gierke and Camillo Golgi in the late 19th century set forth the ideas of a ground substance embedding neuroglia and a pericellular condensation around the neurons, respectively. Over the last century, seminal studies established these structures as different forms of extracellular matrix (ECM), ranging from an amorphous and omnipresent interstitial matrix to highly condensed perineuronal nets (PNNs) juxtaposed to a special class of neurons. The heterogeneous assembly of ECM and PNN is spatiotemporally dynamic, allowing them to perform a wide range of functions throughout life, including neuronal migration, axonal growth, synaptic maturation and plasticity, and ionic homeostasis. Equally important is their role in brain pathologies such as epilepsy, gliomas, addiction, traumatic injury, and neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric diseases.
A wealth of knowledge accumulated predominantly in the last 3 decades, suggests a widespread impact of ECM and PNNs on the functioning of the central nervous system. These studies not only revealed the structural organization, spatiotemporal dynamics, and remodelling machinery, but also the signature functions of the ECM and PNNs. More recently, stimulating ideas and hypotheses emerged owing to the peculiar composition of the PNNs that confers a charged microenvironment in the extracellular space and support neuronal functions. Studies on the interactions of glial cells with ECM in the regulation of neuronal activity in health and diseases are also surfacing at a rapid pace. Despite a recent surge of studies on functional aspects of the ECM especially the PNNs, studies on the molecular underpinning conferring such functional versatility are relatively scanty. This knowledge gap is even wider in brain pathologies wherein PNNs are altered; the mechanisms linking disease etiology with the PNN disruption are largely speculative. Another major void in the field is the scarcity of tools and methods to exclusively manipulate the PNNs.
This Research Topic intends to focus on the emerging roles of ECM and PNNs with a mechanistic insight. We invite researchers to contribute towards filling these voids by submitting articles as original research, report or letter, hypothesis, opinion and perspective, review, mini-review, tools and methods, and general commentary encompassing but not limited to the topics outlined below:
• Mechanisms of ECM and PNN-regulated neuroplasticity
• PNN in the regulation of neuronal activity and excitability
• Structural dynamics of ECM and PNN and regulating mechanisms
• ECM and PNN remodelling in physiology and diseases
• The interplay of neuron, glia, and ECM in physiology and diseases
• Glial regulation of ECM and PNN structure and function
• Tools and methods to manipulate ECM and PNNs
We hope to create a compilation of novel and thought-provoking knowledge to understand and explore ECM and PNN centric avenues in health and diseases.
Pioneering efforts of Hens Gierke and Camillo Golgi in the late 19th century set forth the ideas of a ground substance embedding neuroglia and a pericellular condensation around the neurons, respectively. Over the last century, seminal studies established these structures as different forms of extracellular matrix (ECM), ranging from an amorphous and omnipresent interstitial matrix to highly condensed perineuronal nets (PNNs) juxtaposed to a special class of neurons. The heterogeneous assembly of ECM and PNN is spatiotemporally dynamic, allowing them to perform a wide range of functions throughout life, including neuronal migration, axonal growth, synaptic maturation and plasticity, and ionic homeostasis. Equally important is their role in brain pathologies such as epilepsy, gliomas, addiction, traumatic injury, and neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric diseases.
A wealth of knowledge accumulated predominantly in the last 3 decades, suggests a widespread impact of ECM and PNNs on the functioning of the central nervous system. These studies not only revealed the structural organization, spatiotemporal dynamics, and remodelling machinery, but also the signature functions of the ECM and PNNs. More recently, stimulating ideas and hypotheses emerged owing to the peculiar composition of the PNNs that confers a charged microenvironment in the extracellular space and support neuronal functions. Studies on the interactions of glial cells with ECM in the regulation of neuronal activity in health and diseases are also surfacing at a rapid pace. Despite a recent surge of studies on functional aspects of the ECM especially the PNNs, studies on the molecular underpinning conferring such functional versatility are relatively scanty. This knowledge gap is even wider in brain pathologies wherein PNNs are altered; the mechanisms linking disease etiology with the PNN disruption are largely speculative. Another major void in the field is the scarcity of tools and methods to exclusively manipulate the PNNs.
This Research Topic intends to focus on the emerging roles of ECM and PNNs with a mechanistic insight. We invite researchers to contribute towards filling these voids by submitting articles as original research, report or letter, hypothesis, opinion and perspective, review, mini-review, tools and methods, and general commentary encompassing but not limited to the topics outlined below:
• Mechanisms of ECM and PNN-regulated neuroplasticity
• PNN in the regulation of neuronal activity and excitability
• Structural dynamics of ECM and PNN and regulating mechanisms
• ECM and PNN remodelling in physiology and diseases
• The interplay of neuron, glia, and ECM in physiology and diseases
• Glial regulation of ECM and PNN structure and function
• Tools and methods to manipulate ECM and PNNs
We hope to create a compilation of novel and thought-provoking knowledge to understand and explore ECM and PNN centric avenues in health and diseases.
