P2X receptors in neuroglia
Alexei Verkhratsky1, Yuri Pankratov2, Ulyana Lalo3
1Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK ; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain ; Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
Abstract:
Different types of ionotropic P2X purinoceptors are expressed in all major types of neuroglia, where they mediate a variety of physiological and pathological signaling. Cortical astrocytes express specific P2X1/5 heteromeric receptors that are activated by ongoing synaptic transmission and can trigger fast local signaling through elevation in cytoplasmic Ca2+ and Na+ concentrations. Oligodendrocytes express several types of P2X receptors that may control their development and mediate axonal-glial interactions. In microglia, P2X4 and P2X7 receptors regulate numerous events associated with microglial activation, motility, and release of proinflammatory factors.
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