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 P2X(1/5) heteromeric receptors that are activated by ongoing synaptic transmission and can trigger fast local signaling through elevation in cytoplasmic Ca(2+) and Na(+) concentrations. Oligodendrocytes express several types of P2X receptors that may control their development and mediate axonal-glial interactions. In microglia, P2X(4) and P2X(7) receptors regulate numerous events associated with microglial activation, motility, and release of proinflammatory factors.