REGULATION OF CALCIUM HOMEOSTASIS IN MICROGLIA: CURRENT VIEW ON THE PATHOGENESIS AND CORRECTION OF NEUROINFLAMMATION

The focus of this review is on evaluating the contribution of various regulatory mechanisms of calcium metabolism to the execution of key microglial functions such as patrolling, migration, proliferation, polarization, as well as mitochondrial plasticity and inflammasome assembly. We address current issues on the regulation of calcium homeostasis in microglial cells and microglia-like cells (MLCs). A concise historical overview of microglia and MLCs is provided, followed by an analysis of their functioning in both normal and pathological conditions. We refer to the functional classification of various calcium channels and transporters expressed in the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum of microglia along with elucidation of the mechanisms leading to elevated cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations in microglial cell upon their activation. Then, we discuss the contribution of NAD+-glycohydrolase/CD38 to the regulation of calcium homeostasis in microglia. The review highlights contemporary approaches for manipulating microglial calcium metabolism with potential implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and neuroinflammation. Additionally, we briefly mention on modern imaging methods for studying calcium signaling in microglia. Thus, we summarize current data that shed the light on the intricate interplay between calcium regulation and microglial function in brain (patho)physiology. It also offers insights into potential therapeutic strategies and visualization techniques in the context of diagnostics and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and neuroinflammation.