Glial Cells in Brain and Eye: Health and Disease
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 March 2026 | Viewed by 6
Special Issue Editor
Interests: circadian rhythms; lipid metabolism; melatonin pathway; glial cells; retina; nerve
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Glial cells, once considered passive “supporting elements” of the nervous system, are now recognized as essential and dynamic regulators of brain and retinal function. Far from being merely structural, glia actively shape neuronal communication, modulate synaptic activity, provide metabolic and trophic support, and contribute to tissue homeostasis and repair. Advances in molecular and imaging technologies have revealed their remarkable diversity, plasticity, and involvement in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes.
In the central nervous system, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia orchestrate neural activity, myelination, and immune responses. In the retina, Müller cells represent a unique glial population that spans the entire tissue, directly interacting with neurons and photoreceptors to sustain neurotransmitter balance, protect against excitotoxicity, regulate ion and water homeostasis, and guide structural integrity. Alterations in these multifaceted functions have been implicated in neurodegeneration, cancer, inflammation, and regenerative responses.
This Special Issue invites original research articles and comprehensive reviews that explore the biology of glial cells in the brain and the eye, highlighting novel mechanisms, cellular interactions, and system-level functions in health and disease. By bringing together diverse perspectives, we aim to deepen our understanding of glial biology and inspire new therapeutic strategies. This Special Issue is supervised by Prof. Dr. Mario E. Guido, who is assisted by our team—Drs. Natalia A. Marchese and Maximiliano Rios (Department of Biological Chemistry “Ranwel Caputto”, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba (UNC)).
Prof. Dr. Mario E. Guido
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- glial cells
- brain & eye (retina)
- health & disease
- neuronal regulation
- therapeutic strategies
- CNS
- glia biology
- cellular interactions
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