Astrocytes: The Housekeepers and Guardians of the CNS

Astroglia are a diverse group of cells in the central nervous system. They are of the ectodermal, neuroepithelial origin and vary in morphology and function, yet, they can be collectively defined as cells having principle function to maintain homeostasis of the central nervous system at all levels of organisation, including homeostasis of ions, pH and neurotransmitters; supplying neurones with metabolic substrates; supporting oligodendrocytes and axons; regulating synaptogenesis, neurogenesis, and formation and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier; contributing to operation of the glymphatic system; and regulation of systemic homeostasis being central chemosensors for oxygen, CO₂ and Na⁺. Their basic physiological features show a lack of electrical excitability (inapt to produce action potentials), but display instead a rather active excitability based on variations in cytosolic concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Na⁺. It is expression of neurotransmitter receptors, pumps and transporters at their plasmalemma, along with transports on the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria that exquisitely regulate the cytosolic levels of these ions, the fluctuation of which underlies most, if not all, astroglial homeostatic functions.

Physiology of Astroglia

Astrocytes are principal cells responsible for maintaining the brain homeostasis. Additionally, these glial cells are also involved in homocellular (astrocyte-astrocyte) and heterocellular (astrocyte-other cell types) signalling and metabolism. These astroglial functions require an expression of the assortment of molecules, be that transporters or pumps, to maintain ion concentration gradients across the plasmalemma and the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. Astrocytes sense and balance their neurochemical environment via variety of transmitter receptors and transporters. As they are electrically non-excitable, astrocytes display intracellular calcium and sodium fluctuations, which are not only used for operative signalling but can also affect metabolism. In this chapter we discuss the molecules that achieve ionic gradients and underlie astrocyte signalling.