Abstract
.Astrocytes integrate information from neurons and the microvasculature to coordinate brain activity and metabolism. Using a variety of calcium-dependent cellular mechanisms, these cells impact numerous aspects of neurophysiology in health and disease. Astrocyte calcium signaling is highly diverse, with complex spatiotemporal features. Here, we review astrocyte calcium dynamics and the optical imaging tools used to measure and analyze these events. We briefly cover historical calcium measurements, followed by our current understanding of how calcium transients relate to the structure of astrocytes. We then explore newer photonics tools including super-resolution techniques and genetically encoded calcium indicators targeted to specific cellular compartments and how these have been applied to astrocyte biology. Finally, we provide a brief overview of analysis software used to accurately quantify the data and ultimately aid in our interpretation of the various functions of astrocyte calcium transients.
Highlights
The past 30 years have witnessed a dramatic reappraisal of the role astrocytes play in the brain
Understanding how changes in astrocyte calcium drive communication at the neuronal–glial–vascular interface is a vibrant area of research; its success is closely linked to the availability and efficacy of fluorescent indicators, optical imaging methods, and analysis tools
We review microscopy methods well suited to astrocyte calcium imaging and conclude with describing the latest analysis software, which will be vital to decoding the biological relevance of calcium transients in astrocytes
Summary
The past 30 years have witnessed a dramatic reappraisal of the role astrocytes play in the brain. It is believed that a primary mechanism through which astrocytes transduce and encode information is by elevations in intracellular calcium.[4]. These calcium events are incredibly diverse, varying in area, amplitude, duration, propagation direction, and compartmental localization. Calcium transients can be evoked by various physiological changes, synaptic activity, pathological events, or occur spontaneously.[5]. These calcium signals occur throughout different compartments of the cell. Understanding how changes in astrocyte calcium drive communication at the neuronal–glial–vascular interface is a vibrant area of research; its success is closely linked to the availability and efficacy of fluorescent indicators, optical imaging methods, and analysis tools. We review microscopy methods well suited to astrocyte calcium imaging and conclude with describing the latest analysis software, which will be vital to decoding the biological relevance of calcium transients in astrocytes
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