Steroid metabolism in glial cells

Abstract

Glial cells exert a fundamental role in the production of neuroactive steroids in central and peripheral nervous system. Steroids so formed, or activated in glia may then act by autocrine pathway on the same cells or by paracrine pathway on different glial types or on neuronal compartment. These mechanisms are then integrated with classical endocrine mechanisms exerted by steroid hormones coming from peripheral glands. The finding that neuroactive steroids are signaling molecules in glia-neuron and glia-glia crosstalk, together with the effects exerted by them in physiological and pathological conditions, strengthens the concept that they exert a key role in regulating nervous function. © 2008 Springer Netherlands.