Calcium signaling in specialized glial cells

Abstract

This article reviews calcium signaling in three specialized types of glial cells: Müller cells of the retina, Bergmann glial cells of the cerebellum, and radial glial cells of the developing cortex. Müller cells generate spontaneous and neuronal activity-evoked increases in Ca(2+). Neuron to Müller cell signaling is mediated by neuronal release of ATP and activation of glial P2Y receptors. Müller cells, in turn, modulate neuronal excitability and mediate vasomotor responses. Bergmann glial cells also generate spontaneous and activity-evoked Ca(2+) increases. Neuron to Bergmann glia signaling is mediated by neuronal release of nitric oxide, noradrenaline, and glutamate. In Bergmann glia, Ca(2+) increases control the structural and functional interactions between these cells and Purkinje cell synapses. In the ventricular zone of the developing cortex, radial glial cells generate spontaneous Ca(2+) increases that propagate as Ca(2+) waves through clusters of neighboring glial cells. These Ca(2+) increases control cell proliferation and neurogenesis.