Work

Ionic signalling in astroglia beyond calcium

Year: 2019

Type: review

Abstract: Astrocytes are homeostatic and protective cells of the central nervous system. Astroglial homeostatic responses are tightly coordinated with neuronal activity. Astrocytes maintain neuronal excitability through regulation of extracellular ion concentrations, as well as assisting and modulating synaptic transmission by uptake and catabolism of major neurotransmitters. Moreover, they support neuronal metabolism and detoxify ammonium and reactive oxygen species. Astroglial homeostatic actions are initiated and controlled by intercellular signalling of ions, including Ca2+, Na+, Cl−, H+ and possibly K+. This review summarises current knowledge on ionic signals mediated by the major monovalent ions, which occur in microdomains, as global events, or as propagating intercellular waves and thereby represent the substrate for astroglial excitability. image

Source: The Journal of Physiology

DOI: 10.1113/jp277478

Authors: Alexei Verkhratsky, Verena Untiet, Christine R. Rose

Institutions: Ikerbasque, University of Copenhagen, University of Manchester, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

Award: G6098158234