Tukisoluina

Tukisoluina is the Finnish term for glial cells, the non-neuronal cells of the nervous system that provide structural and metabolic support to neurons. In Finnish neuroscience, tukisoluina (plural) denotes the collective glial cell population, also known as neuroglia. Glial cells are essential for the development, maintenance, and function of neural circuits and are found throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Within the CNS, the main glial subtypes are astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and ependymal cells. Astrocytes regulate ion and neurotransmitter balance, help maintain the blood–brain barrier, and supply metabolic support. Oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths around CNS axons, increasing conduction speed. Microglia act as resident immune cells, surveying tissue and clearing debris. Ependymal cells line the ventricles and participate in cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. In the PNS, Schwann cells myelinate peripheral nerves, while satellite cells envelop dorsal root ganglion neurons and provide metabolic and structural support.

Glial cells communicate with neurons and with each other through calcium signaling and the release of gliotransmitters, and many glia are capable of proliferation in response to injury. They also play roles in synaptic modulation, plasticity, and tissue repair.

Development and clinical relevance: Glial cells originate from neural progenitors in the developing neural tube; radial glia serve as major progenitors for astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Clinically, gliomas are tumors derived from glial cells, and glial dysfunction is implicated in multiple neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis and various neurodegenerative diseases.