Heat Shock Proteins Function as Signaling Molecules to Mediate Neuron-Glia Communication During Aging

The nervous system is primarily composed of neurons and glia, and the communication between them plays profound roles in regulating the development and function of the brain. Neuron-glia signal transduction is known to be mediated by secreted or juxtacrine signals through ligand-receptor interactions on the cell membrane. Here, we report a novel mechanism for neuron-glia signal transduction, wherein neurons transmit proteins to glia through extracellular vesicles, activating glial signaling pathways. We find that in the amphid sensory organ of