Mind the GAPS: Glia associated with psychological stress

Abstract

Glial cells are an integral component of the nervous system, performing crucial functions that extend beyond structural support, including modulation of the immune system, tissue repair, and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of glial cells as key mediators of stress responses across different organs. This review focuses on the roles of glial cells in peripheral tissues in health and their involvement in diseases linked to psychological stress. Populations of glia associated with psychological stress (“GAPS”) emerge as a promising target cell population in our basic understanding of stress‐associated pathologies, highlighting their role as mediators of the deleterious effects of psychological stress on various health conditions. Ultimately, new insights into the impact of stress on glial cell populations in the periphery may support clinical efforts aimed at improving the psychological state of patients for improved health outcomes.