Targeting sympathetic glia for treating cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Gq G protein-coupled receptor (Gq-GPCR) signaling in glial fibrillary acidic protein-expressing (GFAP⁺) glia is essential for neuron-glia interaction in the Central Nervous System (CNS). However, the exploration of the roles of Gq-GPCR signaling in peripheral GFAP⁺ glia has just begun. Our recent study showed that GFAP⁺ glia in the sympathetic ganglia, namely satellite glial cells (SGCs), positively modulate sympathetic-regulated cardiac functions following their Gq-GPCR activation. In this research highlight, we discuss the significance of satellite glial modulation of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in both physiology and in diseases. We also present a new experimental strategy for manipulating satellite glial signaling in the sympathetic ganglia using adeno-associated virus (AAV). The success of targeted viral transduction in ganglionic SGCs suggest a strong therapeutic potential of targeting sympathetic glia for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).