Molecular Dynamics of the Extracellular Matrix and Perineuronal Nets in Neural Plasticity

The field of neuroplasticity is increasingly exploring the non-neuronal components that shape synaptic, cellular, and circuit-level adaptation in the brain. Among these, the extracellular matrix (ECM) and specialized structures known as perineuronal nets (PNNs) have emerged as key regulators of the structural environment surrounding neurons. While research has traditionally centered on neuronal and synaptic activity during plastic changes, accumulating evidence demonstrates that ECM and PNNs finely modulate the timing, magnitude, and stability of plasticity events, from early development to adulthood. Recent studies highlight the complex molecular makeup of these structures, their dynamic remodeling in response to experience, injury, or pathology, and their context-specific roles in promoting or constraining neural adaptation. However, critical gaps remain in our understanding of how ECM components and perineuronal nets are reorganized at the structural level, how this remodeling underpins different forms and stages of neuroplasticity, and what cellular or extracellular signals drive these processes.This Research Topic aims to dissect the mechanisms and consequences of ECM and perineuronal net structural remodeling in neuroplasticity, with a special emphasis on their dynamic roles during development, learning, and response to injury or disease. We seek to clarify how the regulated assembly, disassembly, and restructuring of extracellular components impact synaptic connectivity and circuit maturation, and to uncover the molecular, cellular, and signaling pathways mediating these transformations. To gather further insights into ECM and PNN-mediated remodeling in the context of neural development and plasticity, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Cellular and molecular pathways driving ECM/PNN reorganization during critical periods and adulthood.o Imaging and quantification techniques for visualizing ECM and PNN structural dynamics.o Interactions between neurons, glia, and ECM/PNNs in development and circuit plasticity.o ECM/PNN remodeling in response to sensory experience, environmental stimuli, or rehabilitation.o Dysregulation of ECM and PNN structure in neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, or neurodegenerative conditions.o Technological innovations or therapeutic strategies aimed at manipulating ECM and PNN structure to enhance plasticity or repair. Topic editors: Jun Ju, Jinlong Chang, Fari Ryan Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79502/molecular-dynamics-of-the-extracellular-matrix-and-perineuronal-nets-in-neural-plasticity