Role of astrocytes in diabetic neuropathy: Review of their involvement in disease mechanisms

Figure 3 Connexin 36 oligomerization and astrocyte-neuron coupling in diabetic neuropathy. Under physiological conditions, connexin 36 (CX36) forms hexameric hemichannels that align to create gap junctions, enabling synchronized glial-neuronal signaling. Diabetic stressors alter CX36 expression and function, leading to disrupted intercellular communication and central sensitization. EL: Extracellular loop; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; TM: Transmembrane domain.