Author/Editor		Parpura, Vladimir; Verkhratsky, Alexei
Title		Homeostatic function of astrocytes
Type		članek
Vol. and No.		Letnik 3, št. 4
Publication year		2012
Volume		str. 334-344
ISSN		2081-6936 - Translational neuroscience
Language		eng
Abstract		The name astroglia unifies many non-excitable neural cells that act as primary homeostatic cells in the nervous system. Neuronal activity triggers multiple homeostatic responses of astroglia that include increase in metabolic activity and synthesis of neuronal preferred energy substrate lactate, clearance of neurotransmitters and buffering of extracellular K+ ions to name but a few. Many (if not all) of astroglial homeostatic responses are controlled by dynamic changes in the cytoplasmic concentration of two cations, Ca2+ and Na+. Intracellular concentration of these ions is tightly controlled by several transporters and can be rapidly affected by the activation of respective fluxes through ionic channels or ion exchangers. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of astroglial Ca2+ and Na+ signalling.
Keywords		astrocyte homeostasis excitability Ca2+ signalling Na+ signalling