Imaging and monitoring astrocytes in health and disease

The role of astrocytes on the effects of exercise on episodic memory function

This review discusses the potential role that glial cells may play in influencing the relationship between exercise and episodic memory function. A narrative review methodology is employed. Herein, the different types of glial cells, their implications in subserving episodic memory function, and how exercise can modulate glial cell activity, particularly astrocyte functionality, are discussed. Although additional experimental work is needed, astrocytes appear to play an important role in the exercise-memory interaction. Exercise may increase astrocytic size, attenuate astrogliodegeneration, improve astrocytic aquaporin-4 expression, and increase astrocytic transporter levels. These effects, in turn, may help to increase the number of synapses that neurons form, increase the number of synaptic structures, and increase presynaptic function and postsynaptic receptor localization. Ultimately, these effects may help influence long-term potentiation and episodic memory function.

The nature of early astroglial protection-Fast activation and signaling

Our present review is focusing on the uniqueness of balanced astroglial signaling. The balance of excitatory and inhibitory signaling within the CNS is mainly determined by sharp synaptic transients of excitatory glutamate (Glu) and inhibitory γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) acting on the sub-second timescale. Astroglia is involved in excitatory chemical transmission by taking up i) Glu through neurotransmitter-sodium transporters, ii) K⁺ released due to presynaptic action potential generation, and iii) water keeping osmotic pressure. Glu uptake-coupled Na⁺ influx may either ignite long-range astroglial Ca²⁺ transients or locally counteract over-excitation via astroglial GABA release and increased tonic inhibition. Imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory drives is associated with a number of disease conditions, including prevalent traumatic and ischaemic injuries or the emergence of epilepsy. Therefore, when addressing the potential of early therapeutic intervention, astroglial signaling functions combating progress of Glu excitotoxicity is of critical importance. We suggest, that excitotoxicity is linked primarily to over-excitation induced by the impairment of astroglial Glu uptake and/or GABA release. Within this framework, we discuss the acute alterations of Glu-cycling and metabolism and conjecture the therapeutic promise of regulation. We also confer the role played by key carrier proteins and enzymes as well as their interplay at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels. Moreover, based on our former studies, we offer potential prospect on the emerging theme of astroglial succinate sensing in course of Glu excitotoxicity.

Stargazing: Monitoring subcellular dynamics of brain astrocytes

Astrocytes are major non-neuronal cell types in the central nervous system that regulate a variety of processes in the brain including synaptic transmission, neurometabolism, and cerebrovasculature tone. Recent discoveries have revealed that astrocytes perform very specialized and heterogeneous roles in brain homeostasis and function. Exactly how astrocytes fulfill such diverse roles in the brain remains to be fully understood and is an active area of research. In this review, we focus on the complex subcellular anatomical features of protoplasmic gray matter astrocytes in the mature, healthy brain that likely empower these cells with the ability to detect and respond to changes in neuronal and synaptic activity. In particular, we discuss how intricate processes on astrocytes allow these cells to communicate with neurons and their synapses and strategically deliver specific cellular organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes to active compartments within the neuropil. Understanding the properties of these structural elements will lead to a better understanding of how astrocytes function in the healthy and diseased brain.