纽约大学Moses V. Chao小组的一项最新研究开发出了星形胶质细胞通过可塑性网络连接大脑的特定区域。这一研究成果于2026年4月22日发表在国际顶尖学术期刊《自然》上。

研究团队开发了一种基于矢量的方法，在清醒的行为动物的星形胶质细胞间隙连接中标记分子，以克服这些限制。然后，课题组对整个脑组织进行主题清理，对这些完整的三维星形胶质细胞网络进行成像。研究小组展示了多个星形胶质细胞网络穿越单母脑。这些网络有选择地连接特定的区域，而不是不分青红皂白地区分，并且在大小和组织上各不相同。研究小组观察到局限于单一大脑区域的局部网络和连接半球多个区域的远程网络，通常表现出与已知神经元网络不同的模式。该课题组研究人员还证明，在感觉剥夺后，成人大脑中的星形胶质细胞网络经历结构重组。这些发现揭示了一种由间隙连接偶联星形胶质细胞的可塑性网络介导的远距离脑区域之间的通信模式。

据介绍，神经轴突传统上被认为是脑区域间功能连接的主要媒介。然而，星形胶质细胞介导的通讯的作用在很大程度上被低估了。星形胶质细胞通过间隙连接相互通信，但这种通信的范围和特异性仍然知之甚少。星形胶质细胞间隙连接是记忆形成、突触可塑性、神经元信号协调以及关闭视觉和运动关键期所必需的。这些发现表明，这种形式的交流对于中枢神经系统的正常发育和功能至关重要。尽管星形胶质细胞间隙连接网络很重要，但对它们的研究一直具有挑战性。目前的方法，如切片电生理学，会破坏网络连接，并由于组织损伤而引入伪影。

附：英文原文

Title: Astrocytes connect specific brain regions through plastic networks

Author: Cooper, Melissa L., Selles, Maria Clara, Cammer, Michael, Redd, Chase, Gildea, Holly K., Sall, Joseph, Chiurri, Katelyn E., Cheung, Philip, Wheeler, Damian G., Saab, Aiman S., Liddelow, Shane A., Chao, Moses V.

Issue&Volume: 2026-04-22

Abstract: Neuronal axons have traditionally been considered to be the primary mediators of functional connectivity among brain regions. However, the role of astrocyte-mediated communication has been largely underappreciated. Astrocytes communicate with one another through gap junctions, but the extent and specificity of this communication remain poorly understood. Astrocyte gap junctions are necessary for memory formation1,2, synaptic plasticity3,4,5, coordination of neuronal signalling6, and closing the visual and motor critical periods7,8. These findings indicate that this form of communication is essential for proper central nervous system development and function. Despite the importance of astrocyte gap junctional networks, studying them has been challenging. Current methods such as slice electrophysiology disrupt network connectivity and introduce artefacts due to tissue damage. Here, we developed a vector-based approach that labels molecules as they are fluxed by astrocyte gap junctions in awake, behaving animals to overcome these limitations. We then used whole-brain tissue clearing9,10 to image these intact, three-dimensional astrocyte networks. We show that multiple astrocyte networks traverse the mouse brain. These networks selectively connect specific regions, rather than diffusing indiscriminately, and vary in size and organization. We observe local networks that are confined to single brain regions and long-range networks that robustly interconnect multiple regions across hemispheres, often exhibiting patterns distinct from known neuronal networks. We also demonstrate that astrocyte networks undergo structural reorganization in the adult brain after sensory deprivation. These findings reveal a mode of communication between distant brain regions that is mediated by plastic networks of gap junction-coupled astrocytes.

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-10426-6

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10426-6