Metabotropic glutamate receptors in glial cells.
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and exerts its actions via a number of ionotropic glutamate receptors/channels and metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors. In addition to being expressed in neurons, glutamate receptors are expressed in different types of glial cells including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. Astrocytes are now recognized as dynamic signaling elements actively integrating neuronal inputs. Synaptic activity can evoke calcium signals in astrocytes, resulting in the release of gliotransmitters, such as glutamate, ATP, and D-serine, which in turn modulate neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. In addition, astrocytes, and microglia may play an important role in pathology such as brain trauma and neurodegeneration, limiting or amplifying the pathologic process leading to neuronal death. The present review will focus on recent advances on the role of mGlu receptors expressed in glial cells under physiologic and pathologic conditions.
D'Antoni
Simona
S
Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, Vl Regina Margherita 6, 95123, Catania, Italy.
Berretta
Antonio
A
Bonaccorso
Carmela Maria
CM
Bruno
Valeria
V
Aronica
Eleonora
E
Nicoletti
Ferdinando
F
Catania
Maria Vincenza
MV
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate