Glia are abundant components of animal nervous systems. Recognized 170 years ago, concerted attempts to understand these cells began only recently. From these investigations glia, once considered passive filler material in the brain, have emerged as active players in neuron development and activity. Glia are essential for nervous system function, and their disruption leads to disease. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans possesses glial types similar to vertebrate glia, based on molecular, morphological, and functional criteria, and has become a powerful model in which to study glia and their neuronal interactions. Facile genetic and transgenic methods in this animal allow the discovery of genes required for glial functions, and effects of glia at single synapses can be monitored by tracking neuron shape, physiology, or animal behavior. Here, we review recent progress in understanding glia-neuron interactions in C. elegans. We highlight similarities with glia in other animals, and suggest conserved emerging principles of glial function.

中文翻译：

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秀丽隐杆线虫中的神经胶质-神经元相互作用。

胶质细胞是动物神经系统的丰富成分。170年前就已被认可，直到最近才开始进行了解这些细胞的一致尝试。通过这些研究，神经胶质曾经被认为是大脑中的被动填充材料，已经成为神经元发育和活动的积极参与者。神经胶质对于神经系统功能至关重要，破坏神经胶质会导致疾病。线虫秀丽隐杆线虫具有与脊椎动物胶质细胞相似的神经胶质类型，基于分子，形态和功能标准，并已成为研究胶质细胞及其神经元相互作用的有力模型。这种动物的简便遗传和转基因方法可以发现神经胶质功能所需的基因，并且可以通过追踪神经元的形状，生理或动物行为来监测神经胶质在单个突触中的作用。这里，我们回顾了了解秀丽隐杆线虫神经胶质神经元相互作用的最新进展。我们强调了与其他动物的神经胶质的相似性，并提出了神经胶质功能的保守新兴原理。