Abstract
Astrocytes are the most prevalent glial cells of the brain and mediate vital roles in the development and function of the nervous system. Astrocytes, along with microglia, also play key roles in initiating inflammatory immune responses following brain injury, stress, or disease-related triggers. While these glial immune responses help contain and resolve cellular damage to the brain, dysregulation of astrocyte activity can in some cases amplify inflammation and worsen impact on neural tissue. As nonexcitable cells, astrocytes excitability is regulated primarily by Ca(2+) signals that control key functions such as gene expression, release of inflammatory mediators, and cell metabolism. In this review, we examine the molecular and functional architecture of Ca(2+) signaling networks in astrocytes and their impact on astrocyte effector functions involved in inflammation and immunity.