The Endocannabinoid System in Retinal Müller Glia: Lessons From Astrocyte Research.

Beriain S(1)(2), Fernandez-Moncada I(3), Pereiro X(2), Eraso-Pichot A(1), Vecino
E(#)(4), Marsicano G(#)(5).

Author information:
(1)Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux,
France.
(2)Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group, Department of Cell Biology and
Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain.
(3)Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeurO, UMR 1286, F-33000, Bordeaux,
France.
(4)Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group, Department of Cell Biology and
Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain.
.
(5)Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, F-33000, Bordeaux,
France. .
(#)Contributed equally

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a widespread neuromodulatory system involved
in both physiological and pathological processes. The ECS has been mainly
characterized in neurons, but emerging evidence has revealed its presence in
different glial cells. Many studies focused on the functions of the ECS in
astrocytes, but its role in other glial cells remains poorly explored. Müller
cells are the main glial cells in the retina, providing structural maintenance,
metabolic support and neuroprotection to other retinal cells. However, the
crosstalk between the ECS and Müller glia (MG) has been scantly described so
far. In this context, inspired by similar research on astrocytes, the study of
the presence and activity of the ECS in MG is currently emerging as an
interesting way of controlling retinal functions in physiopathological
conditions. This review will examine the current knowledge on the ECS in MG with
the general aim to promote future research in this field.

© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business
Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

DOI: 10.1007/s11064-025-04457-0
PMID: 40553186 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Conflict of interest statement: Declarations. Conflict of Interest: The authors
declare no competing interests.

Auteurs Bordeaux Neurocampus