Chrystian Junqueira Alves

Abstract Glial spatial organization is critical for neural repair after spinal cord injury (SCI). In response to injury, reactive astrocytes extend hypertrophic processes to corral the lesion core and sequester debris and inflammatory cells. How these long, arborized processes remain intact, and how astrocytes avoid collisions to assemble a glial bridge to guide axon pathfinding across lesion site remains unclear.

Abstract Communication between glial cells has a profound impact on the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We reveal here that reactive astrocytes control cell distancing in peri-plaque glial nets, which restricts microglial access to amyloid deposits. This process is governed by guidance receptor Plexin-B1 (PLXNB1), a network hub gene in individuals with late-onset AD that is upregulated in plaque-associated astrocytes.

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor with uncontrolled invasive growth. Here, we demonstrate how GBM cells usurp guidance receptor Plexin-B2 to gain biomechanical plasticity for polarized migration through confined space. Using live-cell imaging to track GBM cells negotiating microchannels, we reveal active endocytosis at cell front and filamentous actin assembly at rear to propel GBM cells through constrictions.