Ontogenesis and diversification of cerebellar glia: A developmental perspective

Cerebellar glia exhibit remarkable phenotypic heterogeneity, both regionally and intra-regionally, a complexity that has remained relatively unexplored until recently. Advances in technologies and refined methodologies have now shed light on novel layers of glial diversity, which appear deeply influenced by both the developmental origin of these cells and the specificity of the microenvironment they inhabit, including their interactions with distinct neuronal populations and neural circuits. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding regarding the ontogeny, diversification, and functional roles of cerebellar glial cells. We focus on astroglia, including Bergmann glia which are unique to the cerebellum, oligodendroglia, and microglia. Where possible, we integrate insights from animal models with findings derived from human studies, and highlight critical unanswered questions to be addressed by future research.