Glial cells in neurotoxicity development

Neuroglial cells of the central nervous system include the astrocytes, olig odendrocytes, and microglia. Their counterparts in the peripheral nervous s ystem are the Schwann cells. The term neuroglia comes from an erroneous con cept originally coined by Virchow (1850), in which he envisioned the neuron s to be embedded in a layer of connective tissue. The term, or its shortene d form-glia, has persisted as the preferred generic term for these cells. A reciprocal relationship exists between neurons and glia, and this associat ion is vital. for mutual differentiation, development, and functioning of t hese cell types. Therefore, perturbations in glial eel function, as well as glial metabolism of chemicals to active intermediates, can lead to neurona l dysfunction. The purpose of this review is to explore neuroglial sites of neurotoxicant actions, discuss potential mechanisms of glial-induced or gl ial-mediated central nervous system and peripheral nervous system damage, a nd review the role of glial cells in neurotoxicity development.