GAP junctions, hemichannels and connexins and their role in the neurovascular unit

Recent advances have come to suggest that connexins (Cxs), the core gap junction (GJs) and hemichannels (HCs) composing proteins, play a crucial role in neurodegenerative and neuroprotective conditions. GJs and HCs syncytia in the complex neuroglial network allows glial cells to support and even modulate neuronal function in both physiological and pathological conditions. In this review we aim at reviewing the current knowledge in the context of neuroglial crosstalk and neurovascular units (NVU) and at delivering up-to-date insights on cell populations interplay in physiological and pathological central nervous system (CNS) conditions.