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Volume 15
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10.3390/life15101505
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Review

ASTROGLIA: Molecular Mechanisms, Functional Roles, and Neurophysiological Implications in the Central Nervous System

by
Andrea Ortega
1,
Luz A. Martínez-Nuncio
2,
Elisa Taddei
3,
Eduardo Castañeda
3,
Carmen Rubio
3,* and
Moisés Rubio-Osornio
2,*
1
Hospital General Manuel Gea González, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
2
Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery MVS, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
3
Neurophysiology Laboratory, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery MVS, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Life 2025, 15(10), 1505; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15101505
Submission received: 4 August 2025 / Revised: 2 September 2025 / Accepted: 22 September 2025 / Published: 24 September 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Astrocytes, the principal components of astroglia, play essential roles in maintaining neuronal and synaptic homeostasis in the central nervous system. By regulating extracellular levels of glutamate, potassium (K+), and calcium (Ca2+), they prevent excitotoxicity and support neuronal survival. Astrocytes also modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity through gliotransmission, including vesicular glutamate release and D-serine synthesis via the serine shuttle, which regulates NMDA receptor activity. They provide metabolic support by facilitating glucose and oxygen transport from the vasculature, forming dynamic neurovascular units. Through signaling pathways such as cAMP-PKA and interactions with neurotrophic factors like BDNF and GDNF, astrocytes influence gene expression, synaptic remodeling, and plasticity. Furthermore, astrocytes exhibit regional and functional heterogeneity, which underlies their diverse contributions to both physiological and pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes current knowledge on astrocytic regulation of neuronal homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, and metabolism, highlighting their mechanisms of network communication, gliotransmission, and regional specialization, and discusses their implications in health and disease.
Keywords: astroglia; neuroscience; synaptic homeostasis; neuronal metabolism; neuronal plasticity astroglia; neuroscience; synaptic homeostasis; neuronal metabolism; neuronal plasticity

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ortega, A.; Martínez-Nuncio, L.A.; Taddei, E.; Castañeda, E.; Rubio, C.; Rubio-Osornio, M. ASTROGLIA: Molecular Mechanisms, Functional Roles, and Neurophysiological Implications in the Central Nervous System. Life 2025, 15, 1505. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15101505

AMA Style

Ortega A, Martínez-Nuncio LA, Taddei E, Castañeda E, Rubio C, Rubio-Osornio M. ASTROGLIA: Molecular Mechanisms, Functional Roles, and Neurophysiological Implications in the Central Nervous System. Life. 2025; 15(10):1505. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15101505

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ortega, Andrea, Luz A. Martínez-Nuncio, Elisa Taddei, Eduardo Castañeda, Carmen Rubio, and Moisés Rubio-Osornio. 2025. "ASTROGLIA: Molecular Mechanisms, Functional Roles, and Neurophysiological Implications in the Central Nervous System" Life 15, no. 10: 1505. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15101505

APA Style

Ortega, A., Martínez-Nuncio, L. A., Taddei, E., Castañeda, E., Rubio, C., & Rubio-Osornio, M. (2025). ASTROGLIA: Molecular Mechanisms, Functional Roles, and Neurophysiological Implications in the Central Nervous System. Life, 15(10), 1505. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15101505

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