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Liu Y, Chen L, Lin L, Xu C, Xiong Y, Qiu H, Li X, Li S, Cao H. Unveiling the hidden pathways: Exploring astrocytes as a key target for depression therapy. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 174:101-113. [PMID: 38626560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Depressive disorders are widely debilitating psychiatric disease. Despite the considerable progress in the field of depression therapy, extensive research spanning many decades has failed to uncover pathogenic pathways that might aid in the creation of long-acting and rapid-acting antidepressants. Consequently, it is imperative to reconsider existing approaches and explore other targets to improve this area of study. In contemporary times, several scholarly investigations have unveiled that persons who have received a diagnosis of depression, as well as animal models employed to study depression, demonstrate a decrease in both the quantity as well as density of astrocytes, accompanied by alterations in gene expression and morphological attributes. Astrocytes rely on a diverse array of channels and receptors to facilitate their neurotransmitter transmission inside tripartite synapses. This study aimed to investigate the potential processes behind the development of depression, specifically focusing on astrocyte-associated neuroinflammation and the involvement of several molecular components such as connexin 43, potassium channel Kir4.1, aquaporin 4, glutamatergic aspartic acid transporter protein, SLC1A2 or GLT-1, glucocorticoid receptors, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B, and autophagy, that localized on the surface of astrocytes. The study also explores novel approaches in the treatment of depression, with a focus on astrocytes, offering innovative perspectives on potential antidepressant medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Lin Lin
- Scientific Research Management Department, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Caijuan Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Yifan Xiong
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Huiwen Qiu
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Sixin Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
| | - Hui Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410208, China; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China.
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2
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Holt LM, Nestler EJ. Astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug addiction. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2024; 131:409-424. [PMID: 37940687 PMCID: PMC11066772 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02716-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Addiction is a leading cause of disease burden worldwide and remains a challenge in current neuroscience research. Drug-induced lasting changes in gene expression are mediated by transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in the brain and are thought to underlie behavioral adaptations. Emerging evidence implicates astrocytes in regulating drug-seeking behaviors and demonstrates robust transcriptional response to several substances of abuse. This review focuses on the astrocytic transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of drug action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne M Holt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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3
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Kanazawa K, Kajikawa S, Matsumoto R, Takatani M, Nakatani M, Daifu-Kobayashi M, Imamura H, Kunieda T, Miyamoto S, Takahashi R, Matsuhashi M, Ikeda A. Ictal Direct Current Shifts Preceded Much Earlier Than High Frequency Oscillations After Status: Is It the Effect of Status or Antiseizure Medication? J Clin Neurophysiol 2024:00004691-990000000-00130. [PMID: 38687304 DOI: 10.1097/wnp.0000000000001087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE While spikes and sharp waves are considered as markers of epilepsy in conventional electroencephalography, ictal direct current (DC) shifts and high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) appear to be useful biomarkers for epileptogenicity. We analyzed how ictal DC shifts and HFOs were affected by focal status epilepticus and antiseizure medications (ASMs). METHODS A 20-year-old female patient who underwent long-term intracranial electrode implantation for epilepsy surgery presented with 72 habitual seizures and a focal status epilepticus episode lasting for 4 h. Ten, 3, and 10 consecutive habitual seizures were analyzed before the status, after the status, and after ASM (valproate) loading, respectively. RESULTS Before and immediately after the status, ictal DC shifts remained the same in terms of the amplitude, duration, and slope of DC shifts. High-frequency oscillations also remained the same in terms of the duration, frequency, and power except for the power of the lower frequency band. After ASM loading, the duration, amplitude, and slope of the ictal DC shift were significantly attenuated. The duration, frequency, and power of the HFOs were significantly attenuated. Furthermore, the interval between the DC onset and HFO onset was significantly longer and the interval between the HFO onset and ictal DC shift peak was significantly shorter. CONCLUSIONS The attenuation of ictal DC shifts and HFOs after ASM loading implies that astrocyte and neuronal activity may be both attenuated by ASMs. This finding may help with our understanding of the pathophysiology of epilepsy and can aid with the discovery of new approaches for epilepsy management.
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Grants
- 15H05874 The Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 19H03574 The Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 20K21573 The Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 26293209 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- 26462223 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- 15H05875 The Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 26330175 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- 4-5 National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Riki Matsumoto
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Division of Neurology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Miwa Takatani
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | - Susumu Miyamoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; and
| | | | - Masao Matsuhashi
- Department of Epilepsy, Movement Disorders and Physiology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akio Ikeda
- Department of Epilepsy, Movement Disorders and Physiology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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4
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Cleary CM, Browning JL, Armbruster M, Sobrinho CR, Strain ML, Jahanbani S, Soto-Perez J, Hawkins VE, Dulla CG, Olsen ML, Mulkey DK. Kir4.1 channels contribute to astrocyte CO 2/H +-sensitivity and the drive to breathe. Commun Biol 2024; 7:373. [PMID: 38548965 PMCID: PMC10978993 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes in the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) stimulate breathing in response to CO2/H+, however, it is not clear how these cells detect changes in CO2/H+. Considering Kir4.1/5.1 channels are CO2/H+-sensitive and important for several astrocyte-dependent processes, we consider Kir4.1/5.1 a leading candidate CO2/H+ sensor in RTN astrocytes. To address this, we show that RTN astrocytes express Kir4.1 and Kir5.1 transcripts. We also characterized respiratory function in astrocyte-specific inducible Kir4.1 knockout mice (Kir4.1 cKO); these mice breathe normally under room air conditions but show a blunted ventilatory response to high levels of CO2, which could be partly rescued by viral mediated re-expression of Kir4.1 in RTN astrocytes. At the cellular level, astrocytes in slices from astrocyte-specific inducible Kir4.1 knockout mice are less responsive to CO2/H+ and show a diminished capacity for paracrine modulation of respiratory neurons. These results suggest Kir4.1/5.1 channels in RTN astrocytes contribute to respiratory behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin M Cleary
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Jack L Browning
- School of Neuroscience and Genetics, Genomics and Computational Biology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Moritz Armbruster
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cleyton R Sobrinho
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Monica L Strain
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Sarvin Jahanbani
- School of Neuroscience and Genetics, Genomics and Computational Biology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Jaseph Soto-Perez
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Virginia E Hawkins
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Chris G Dulla
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michelle L Olsen
- School of Neuroscience and Genetics, Genomics and Computational Biology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Daniel K Mulkey
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
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5
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Musotto R, Wanderlingh U, D’Ascola A, Spatuzza M, Catania MV, De Pittà M, Pioggia G. Dynamics of astrocytes Ca 2+ signaling: a low-cost fluorescence customized system for 2D cultures. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1320672. [PMID: 38322166 PMCID: PMC10844566 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1320672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
In an effort to help reduce the costs of fluorescence microscopy and expand the use of this valuable technique, we developed a low-cost platform capable of visualising and analysing the spatio-temporal dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ signalling in astrocytes. The created platform, consisting of a specially adapted fluorescence microscope and a data analysis procedure performed with Imagej Fiji software and custom scripts, allowed us to detect relative changes of intracellular Ca2+ ions in astrocytes. To demonstrate the usefulness of the workflow, we applied the methodology to several in vitro astrocyte preparations, specifically immortalised human astrocyte cells and wild-type mouse cells. To demonstrate the reliability of the procedure, analyses were conducted by stimulating astrocyte activity with the agonist dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), alone or in the presence of the antagonist 2-methyl-6-phenylethyl-pyridine (MPEP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Musotto
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Messina, Italy
| | - Ulderico Wanderlingh
- Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Angela D’Ascola
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Policlinico Universitario, Messina, Italy
| | - Michela Spatuzza
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Vincenza Catania
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Catania, Italy
| | - Maurizio De Pittà
- Division of Clinical and Computational Neurosciences, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Giovanni Pioggia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Messina, Italy
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6
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Thompson A, Arano R, Saleem U, Preciado R, Munoz L, Nelson I, Ramos K, Kim Y, Li Y, Xu W. Brain-wide circuit-specific targeting of astrocytes. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100653. [PMID: 38052209 PMCID: PMC10753298 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are integral components of brain circuitry. They enwrap synapses, react to neuronal activity, and regulate synaptic transmission. Astrocytes are heterogeneous and exhibit distinct features and functions in different circuits. Selectively targeting the astrocytes associated with a given neuronal circuit would enable elucidation of their circuit-specific functions but has been technically challenging to date. Recently, we constructed anterograde transneuronal viral vectors based on yellow fever vaccine YFV-17D. Among them, the replication-incompetent YFVΔNS1-Cre can selectively turn on reporter genes in postsynaptic neurons if the viral gene NS1 is expressed in postsynaptic neurons. Here we show that without exogenous expression of NS1 at the postsynaptic sites, locally injected YFVΔNS1-Cre selectively turns on reporter genes in astrocytes in downstream brain regions. The targeting of astrocytes can occur across the whole brain but is specific for the neuronal circuits traced. Therefore, YFVΔNS1-Cre provides a tool for selective genetic targeting of astrocytes to reveal their circuit-specific roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Thompson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rachel Arano
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Uzair Saleem
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rebecca Preciado
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lizbeth Munoz
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ian Nelson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Katarina Ramos
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yerim Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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7
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Nikolaev DM, Shtyrov AA, Vyazmin SY, Vasin AV, Panov MS, Ryazantsev MN. Fluorescence of the Retinal Chromophore in Microbial and Animal Rhodopsins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17269. [PMID: 38139098 PMCID: PMC10743670 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence of the vast majority of natural opsin-based photoactive proteins is extremely low, in accordance with their functions that depend on efficient transduction of absorbed light energy. However, several recently proposed classes of engineered rhodopsins with enhanced fluorescence, along with the discovery of a new natural highly fluorescent rhodopsin, NeoR, opened a way to exploit these transmembrane proteins as fluorescent sensors and draw more attention to studies on this untypical rhodopsin property. Here, we review the available data on the fluorescence of the retinal chromophore in microbial and animal rhodopsins and their photocycle intermediates, as well as different isomers of the protonated retinal Schiff base in various solvents and the gas phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii M. Nikolaev
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskii pr, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Andrey A. Shtyrov
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskii pr, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sergey Yu. Vyazmin
- Nanotechnology Research and Education Centre RAS, Saint Petersburg Academic University, 8/3 Khlopina Street, 194021 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Andrey V. Vasin
- Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnologies, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 29 Polytechnicheskaya Str., 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Maxim S. Panov
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskii pr, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Center for Biophysical Studies, St. Petersburg State Chemical Pharmaceutical University, Professor Popov str. 14, lit. A, 197022 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Mikhail N. Ryazantsev
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskii pr, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia
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8
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Hjukse JB, Puebla MFDL, Vindedal GF, Sprengel R, Jensen V, Nagelhus EA, Tang W. Increased membrane Ca 2+ permeability drives astrocytic Ca 2+ dynamics during neuronal stimulation at excitatory synapses. Glia 2023; 71:2770-2781. [PMID: 37564028 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are intricately involved in the activity of neural circuits; however, their basic physiology of interacting with nearby neurons is not well established. Using two-photon imaging of neurons and astrocytes during higher frequency stimulation of hippocampal CA3-CA1 Schaffer collateral (Scc) excitatory synapses, we could show that increasing levels of released glutamate accelerated local astrocytic Ca2+ elevation. However, blockage of glutamate transporters did not abolish this astrocytic Ca2+ response, suggesting that astrocytic Ca2+ elevation is indirectly associated with an uptake of extracellular glutamate. However, during the astrocytic glutamate uptake, the Na+ /Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) reverse mode was activated, and mediated extracellular Ca2+ entry, thereby triggering the internal release of Ca2+ . In addition, extracellular Ca2+ entry via membrane P2X receptors further facilitated astrocytic Ca2+ elevation via ATP binding. These findings suggest a novel mechanism of activity induced Ca2+ permeability increases of astrocytic membranes, which drives astrocytic responses during neuronal stimulation of CA3-CA1 Scc excitatory synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarand B Hjukse
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mario F D L Puebla
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Neuroclinic, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Gry Fluge Vindedal
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rolf Sprengel
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vidar Jensen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Erlend A Nagelhus
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Research Group of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wannan Tang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Neuroclinic, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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9
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Denaroso GE, Smith Z, Angeliu CG, Cheli VT, Wang C, Paez PM. Deletion of voltage-gated calcium channels in astrocytes decreases neuroinflammation and demyelination in a murine model of multiple sclerosis. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:263. [PMID: 37964385 PMCID: PMC10644533 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02948-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of multiple sclerosis was used in combination with a Cav1.2 conditional knock-out mouse (Cav1.2KO) to study the role of astrocytic voltage-gated Ca++ channels in autoimmune CNS inflammation and demyelination. Cav1.2 channels were specifically ablated in Glast-1-positive astrocytes by means of the Cre-lox system before EAE induction. After immunization, motor activity was assessed daily, and a clinical score was given based on the severity of EAE symptoms. Cav1.2 deletion in astrocytes significantly reduced the severity of the disease. While no changes were found in the day of onset and peak disease severity, EAE mean clinical score was lower in Cav1.2KO animals during the chronic phase of the disease. This corresponded to better performance on the rotarod and increased motor activity in Cav1.2KO mice. Furthermore, decreased numbers of reactive astrocytes, activated microglia, and infiltrating lymphocytes were found in the lumbar section of the spinal cord of Cav1.2KO mice 40 days after immunization. The degree of myelin protein loss and size of demyelinated lesions were also attenuated in Cav1.2KO spinal cords. Similar results were found in EAE animals treated with nimodipine, a Cav1.2 Ca++ channel inhibitor with high affinity to the CNS. Mice injected with nimodipine during the acute and chronic phases of the disease exhibited lower numbers of reactive astrocytes, activated microglial, and infiltrating immune cells, as well as fewer demyelinated lesions in the spinal cord. These changes were correlated with improved clinical scores and motor performance. In summary, these data suggest that antagonizing Cav1.2 channels in astrocytes during EAE alleviates neuroinflammation and protects the spinal cord from autoimmune demyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- G E Denaroso
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, NYS Center of Excellence, 701 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Z Smith
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, NYS Center of Excellence, 701 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - C G Angeliu
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, NYS Center of Excellence, 701 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - V T Cheli
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, NYS Center of Excellence, 701 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - C Wang
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, NYS Center of Excellence, 701 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - P M Paez
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, NYS Center of Excellence, 701 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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10
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Murphy-Royal C, Ching S, Papouin T. A conceptual framework for astrocyte function. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1848-1856. [PMID: 37857773 PMCID: PMC10990637 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01448-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The participation of astrocytes in brain computation was hypothesized in 1992, coinciding with the discovery that these cells display a form of intracellular Ca2+ signaling sensitive to neuroactive molecules. This finding fostered conceptual leaps crystalized around the idea that astrocytes, once thought to be passive, participate actively in brain signaling and outputs. A multitude of disparate roles of astrocytes has since emerged, but their meaningful integration has been muddied by the lack of consensus and models of how we conceive the functional position of these cells in brain circuitry. In this Perspective, we propose an intuitive, data-driven and transferable conceptual framework we coin 'contextual guidance'. It describes astrocytes as 'contextual gates' that shape neural circuitry in an adaptive, state-dependent fashion. This paradigm provides fresh perspectives on principles of astrocyte signaling and its relevance to brain function, which could spur new experimental avenues, including in computational space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciaran Murphy-Royal
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) & Département de Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - ShiNung Ching
- Electrical and Systems Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Thomas Papouin
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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11
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Lia A, Di Spiezio A, Vitalini L, Tore M, Puja G, Losi G. Ion Channels and Ionotropic Receptors in Astrocytes: Physiological Functions and Alterations in Alzheimer's Disease and Glioblastoma. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2038. [PMID: 37895420 PMCID: PMC10608464 DOI: 10.3390/life13102038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is composed of nearly one hundred billion neurons and an equal number of glial cells, including macroglia, i.e., astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain. In the last few decades, compelling evidence has revealed that glial cells are far more active and complex than previously thought. In particular, astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell population, not only take part in brain development, metabolism, and defense against pathogens and insults, but they also affect sensory, motor, and cognitive functions by constantly modulating synaptic activity. Not surprisingly, astrocytes are actively involved in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and other neurological disorders like brain tumors, in which they rapidly become reactive and mediate neuroinflammation. Reactive astrocytes acquire or lose specific functions that differently modulate disease progression and symptoms, including cognitive impairments. Astrocytes express several types of ion channels, including K+, Na+, and Ca2+ channels, transient receptor potential channels (TRP), aquaporins, mechanoreceptors, and anion channels, whose properties and functions are only partially understood, particularly in small processes that contact synapses. In addition, astrocytes express ionotropic receptors for several neurotransmitters. Here, we provide an extensive and up-to-date review of the roles of ion channels and ionotropic receptors in astrocyte physiology and pathology. As examples of two different brain pathologies, we focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most diffuse neurodegenerative disorders, and glioblastoma (GBM), the most common brain tumor. Understanding how ion channels and ionotropic receptors in astrocytes participate in NDs and tumors is necessary for developing new therapeutic tools for these increasingly common neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Lia
- Department Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Alessandro Di Spiezio
- Department Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.S.)
- Neuroscience Institute (CNR-IN), Padova Section, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Vitalini
- Department Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (L.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Manuela Tore
- Institute of Nanoscience (CNR-NANO), Modena Section, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Department Biomedical Science, Metabolic and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Puja
- Department Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (L.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Gabriele Losi
- Institute of Nanoscience (CNR-NANO), Modena Section, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Department Biomedical Science, Metabolic and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
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12
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Qiu J, Yang Y, Liu J, Zhao W, Li Q, Zhu T, Liang P, Zhou C. The volatile anesthetic isoflurane differentially inhibits voltage-gated sodium channel currents between pyramidal and parvalbumin neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1185095. [PMID: 37396397 PMCID: PMC10311640 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1185095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background How volatile anesthetics work remains poorly understood. Modulations of synaptic neurotransmission are the direct cellular mechanisms of volatile anesthetics in the central nervous system. Volatile anesthetics such as isoflurane may reduce neuronal interaction by differentially inhibiting neurotransmission between GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses. Presynaptic voltage-dependent sodium channels (Nav), which are strictly coupled with synaptic vesicle exocytosis, are inhibited by volatile anesthetics and may contribute to the selectivity of isoflurane between GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses. However, it is still unknown how isoflurane at clinical concentrations differentially modulates Nav currents between excitatory and inhibitory neurons at the tissue level. Methods In this study, an electrophysiological recording was applied in cortex slices to investigate the effects of isoflurane on Nav between parvalbumin (PV+) and pyramidal neurons in PV-cre-tdTomato and/or vglut2-cre-tdTomato mice. Results Isoflurane at clinically relevant concentrations produced a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage-dependent inactivation and slowed the recovery time from the fast inactivation in both cellular subtypes. Since the voltage of half-maximal inactivation was significantly depolarized in PV+ neurons compared to that of pyramidal neurons, isoflurane inhibited the peak Nav currents in pyramidal neurons more potently than those of PV+ neurons (35.95 ± 13.32% vs. 19.24 ± 16.04%, P = 0.036 by the Mann-Whitney test). Conclusions Isoflurane differentially inhibits Nav currents between pyramidal and PV+ neurons in the prefrontal cortex, which may contribute to the preferential suppression of glutamate release over GABA release, resulting in the net depression of excitatory-inhibitory circuits in the prefrontal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Qiu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaoxin Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenling Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng Liang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Zhou
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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13
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Rasmussen RN, Asiminas A, Carlsen EMM, Kjaerby C, Smith NA. Astrocytes: integrators of arousal state and sensory context. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:418-425. [PMID: 37003933 PMCID: PMC10192111 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
The integration of external information with the internal state of the body is central to the survival of virtually every multicellular organism. However, a complete picture of the mechanisms that govern this process is lacking. In this opinion article, we synthesize evidence demonstrating that astrocytes sense the momentary arousal state - through neuromodulator release - as well as the sensory inputs - through local synaptic activity - and respond to them with changes in calcium (Ca2+) signaling. We hypothesize that astrocytes integrate sensory signals with the internal state and that this process is necessary to secure optimal behavior. Finally, we argue that dysfunctional astrocytic Ca2+ signaling could be an underlying factor in disorders characterized by disrupted sensory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rune Nguyen Rasmussen
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Antonis Asiminas
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Celia Kjaerby
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nathan Anthony Smith
- Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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14
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Ou M, Chen Y, Liu J, Zhang D, Yang Y, Shen J, Miao C, Tang SJ, Liu X, Mulkey DK, Zhu T, Zhou C. Spinal astrocytic MeCP2 regulates Kir4.1 for the maintenance of chronic hyperalgesia in neuropathic pain. Prog Neurobiol 2023; 224:102436. [PMID: 36931588 PMCID: PMC10372923 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Astrocyte activation in the spinal dorsal horn may play an important role in the development of chronic neuropathic pain, but the mechanisms involved in astrocyte activation and their modulatory effects remain unknown. The inward rectifying potassium channel protein 4.1 (Kir4.1) is the most important background K+ channel in astrocytes. However, how Kir4.1 is regulated and contributes to behavioral hyperalgesia in chronic pain is unknown. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis indicated that the expression levels of both Kir4.1 and Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) were decreased in spinal astrocytes after chronic constriction injury (CCI) in a mouse model. Conditional knockout of the Kir4.1 channel in spinal astrocytes led to hyperalgesia, and overexpression of the Kir4.1 channel in spinal cord relieved CCI-induced hyperalgesia. Expression of spinal Kir4.1 after CCI was regulated by MeCP2. Electrophysiological recording in spinal slices showed that knockdown of Kir4.1 significantly up-regulated the excitability of astrocytes and then functionally changed the firing patterns of neurons in dorsal spinal cord. Therefore, targeting spinal Kir4.1 may be a therapeutic approach for hyperalgesia in chronic neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengchan Ou
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yali Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Donghang Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yaoxin Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jiefei Shen
- Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and Department of Prosthodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Changhong Miao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shao-Jun Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology and The Stony Brook University Pain and Analgesia Research Center (SPARC), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology and The Stony Brook University Pain and Analgesia Research Center (SPARC), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Daniel K Mulkey
- Departments of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Tao Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Cheng Zhou
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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15
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Pérez-Sala D, Pajares MA. Appraising the Role of Astrocytes as Suppliers of Neuronal Glutathione Precursors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098059. [PMID: 37175763 PMCID: PMC10179008 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The metabolism and intercellular transfer of glutathione or its precursors may play an important role in cellular defense against oxidative stress, a common hallmark of neurodegeneration. In the 1990s, several studies in the Neurobiology field led to the widely accepted notion that astrocytes produce large amounts of glutathione that serve to feed neurons with precursors for glutathione synthesis. This assumption has important implications for health and disease since a reduction in this supply from astrocytes could compromise the capacity of neurons to cope with oxidative stress. However, at first glance, this shuttling would imply a large energy expenditure to get to the same point in a nearby cell. Thus, are there additional underlying reasons for this expensive mechanism? Are neurons unable to import and/or synthesize the three non-essential amino acids that are the glutathione building blocks? The rather oxidizing extracellular environment favors the presence of cysteine (Cys) as cystine (Cis), less favorable for neuronal import. Therefore, it has also been proposed that astrocytic GSH efflux could induce a change in the redox status of the extracellular space nearby the neurons, locally lowering the Cis/Cys ratio. This astrocytic glutathione release would also increase their demand for precursors, stimulating Cis uptake, which these cells can import, further impacting the local decline of the Cis/Cys ratio, in turn, contributing to a more reduced extracellular environment and subsequently favoring neuronal Cys import. Here, we revisit the experimental evidence that led to the accepted hypothesis of astrocytes acting as suppliers of neuronal glutathione precursors, considering recent data from the Human Protein Atlas. In addition, we highlight some potential drawbacks of this hypothesis, mainly supported by heterogeneous cellular models. Finally, we outline additional and more cost-efficient possibilities by which astrocytes could support neuronal glutathione levels, including its shuttling in extracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolores Pérez-Sala
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María A Pajares
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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16
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Zhu H, Zhang L, Xiao F, Wu L, Guo Y, Zhang Z, Xiao Y, Sun G, Yang Q, Guo H. Melatonin-Driven NLRP3 Inflammation Inhibition Via Regulation of NF-κB Nucleocytoplasmic Transport: Implications for Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction. Inflammation 2023:10.1007/s10753-023-01822-5. [PMID: 37185803 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-023-01822-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The aseptic inflammatory response of the central nervous system is one of the important causes of neurodegenerative diseases in individuals and is also recognized in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Inflammasome is thought to be closely related to brain homeostasis. However, there are few drugs targeting the inflammasome to suppress inflammation in clinical practice. Here, we showed that the neuroinflammatory response mediated by the NLRP3 (NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome was involved in the pathological process of POCD. Melatonin protected mice from nerve damage by inhibiting activation of the NLRP3-caspase-1-interleukin 1 beta (IL-β) pathway and thus reduced the secretion of IL-1β inflammatory factors in microglia. Further research found that melatonin has a potential binding effect with NLRP3 protein, and at the same time could reduce the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and inhibit its nuclear translocation. The underlying mechanism was that melatonin inhibited the expression of acetylation of histone H3 and melatonin attenuated the binding of NF-κb to the NLRP3 promoter region 1-200 bp, where there are two potential binding target sites of NF-κb and NLRP3, namely the sequences 5'-GGGAACCCCC-3' and 5'-GGAAATCCA -3'. Therefore, we confirmed a novel mechanism of action of melatonin in the prevention and treatment of POCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1# Minde Road, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lieliang Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, China
| | - Feng Xiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1# Minde Road, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lei Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1# Minde Road, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yun Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1# Minde Road, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1# Minde Road, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yao Xiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1# Minde Road, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Gufeng Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1# Minde Road, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1# Minde Road, Nanchang, China.
| | - Hua Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1# Minde Road, Nanchang, China.
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Neurological Tumors and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanchang, China.
- Jiangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
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17
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Cheng YT, Woo J, Luna-Figueroa E, Maleki E, Harmanci AS, Deneen B. Social deprivation induces astrocytic TRPA1-GABA suppression of hippocampal circuits. Neuron 2023; 111:1301-1315.e5. [PMID: 36787749 PMCID: PMC10121837 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Social experience is essential for the development and maintenance of higher-order brain function. Social deprivation results in a host of cognitive deficits, and cellular studies have largely focused on associated neuronal dysregulation; how astrocyte function is impacted by social deprivation is unknown. Here, we show that hippocampal astrocytes from juvenile mice subjected to social isolation exhibit increased Ca2+ activity and global changes in gene expression. We found that the Ca2+ channel TRPA1 is upregulated in astrocytes after social deprivation and astrocyte-specific deletion of TRPA1 reverses the physiological and cognitive deficits associated with social deprivation. Mechanistically, TRPA1 inhibition of hippocampal circuits is mediated by a parallel increase of astrocytic production and release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA after social deprivation. Collectively, our studies reveal how astrocyte function is tuned to social experience and identifies a social-context-specific mechanism by which astrocytic TRPA1 and GABA coordinately suppress hippocampal circuit function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ting Cheng
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Junsung Woo
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Estefania Luna-Figueroa
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ehson Maleki
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Benjamin Deneen
- Center for Cancer Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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18
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Salmon CK, Syed TA, Kacerovsky JB, Alivodej N, Schober AL, Sloan TFW, Pratte MT, Rosen MP, Green M, Chirgwin-Dasgupta A, Mehta S, Jilani A, Wang Y, Vali H, Mandato CA, Siddiqi K, Murai KK. Organizing principles of astrocytic nanoarchitecture in the mouse cerebral cortex. Curr Biol 2023; 33:957-972.e5. [PMID: 36805126 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are increasingly understood to be important regulators of central nervous system (CNS) function in health and disease; yet, we have little quantitative understanding of their complex architecture. While broad categories of astrocytic structures are known, the discrete building blocks that compose them, along with their geometry and organizing principles, are poorly understood. Quantitative investigation of astrocytic complexity is impeded by the absence of high-resolution datasets and robust computational approaches to analyze these intricate cells. To address this, we produced four ultra-high-resolution datasets of mouse cerebral cortex using serial electron microscopy and developed astrocyte-tailored computer vision methods for accurate structural analysis. We unearthed specific anatomical building blocks, structural motifs, connectivity hubs, and hierarchical organizations of astrocytes. Furthermore, we found that astrocytes interact with discrete clusters of synapses and that astrocytic mitochondria are distributed to lie closer to larger clusters of synapses. Our findings provide a geometrically principled, quantitative understanding of astrocytic nanoarchitecture and point to an unexpected level of complexity in how astrocytes interact with CNS microanatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher K Salmon
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Tabish A Syed
- School of Computer Science and Centre for Intelligent Machines, McGill University, 3480 Rue University, Montreal, QC H3A 2A7, Canada; MILA - Québec AI Institute, 6666 Rue Saint-Urbain, Montreal, QC H2S 3H1, Canada
| | - J Benjamin Kacerovsky
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Nensi Alivodej
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Alexandra L Schober
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | | | - Michael T Pratte
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Michael P Rosen
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Miranda Green
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Adario Chirgwin-Dasgupta
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Shaurya Mehta
- School of Computer Science and Centre for Intelligent Machines, McGill University, 3480 Rue University, Montreal, QC H3A 2A7, Canada
| | - Affan Jilani
- School of Computer Science and Centre for Intelligent Machines, McGill University, 3480 Rue University, Montreal, QC H3A 2A7, Canada
| | - Yanan Wang
- School of Computer Science and Centre for Intelligent Machines, McGill University, 3480 Rue University, Montreal, QC H3A 2A7, Canada
| | - Hojatollah Vali
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, McGill University, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Craig A Mandato
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, McGill University, 3640 Rue University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Kaleem Siddiqi
- School of Computer Science and Centre for Intelligent Machines, McGill University, 3480 Rue University, Montreal, QC H3A 2A7, Canada; MILA - Québec AI Institute, 6666 Rue Saint-Urbain, Montreal, QC H2S 3H1, Canada.
| | - Keith K Murai
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada.
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19
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Astrocyte heterogeneity and interactions with local neural circuits. Essays Biochem 2023; 67:93-106. [PMID: 36748397 PMCID: PMC10011406 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are ubiquitous within the central nervous system (CNS). These cells possess many individual processes which extend out into the neuropil, where they interact with a variety of other cell types, including neurons at synapses. Astrocytes are now known to be active players in all aspects of the synaptic life cycle, including synapse formation and elimination, synapse maturation, maintenance of synaptic homeostasis and modulation of synaptic transmission. Traditionally, astrocytes have been studied as a homogeneous group of cells. However, recent studies have uncovered a surprising degree of heterogeneity in their development and function, suggesting that astrocytes may be matched to neurons to support local circuits. Hence, a better understanding of astrocyte heterogeneity and its implications are needed to understand brain function.
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Brymer KJ, Hurley EP, Barron JC, Mukherjee B, Barnes JR, Nafar F, Parsons MP. Asymmetric dysregulation of glutamate dynamics across the synaptic cleft in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:27. [PMID: 36788598 PMCID: PMC9926626 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01524-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Most research on glutamate spillover focuses on the deleterious consequences of postsynaptic glutamate receptor overactivation. However, two decades ago, it was noted that the glial coverage of hippocampal synapses is asymmetric: astrocytic coverage of postsynaptic sites exceeds coverage of presynaptic sites by a factor of four. The fundamental relevance of this glial asymmetry remains poorly understood. Here, we used the glutamate biosensor iGluSnFR, and restricted its expression to either CA3 or CA1 neurons to visualize glutamate dynamics at pre- and postsynaptic microenvironments, respectively. We demonstrate that inhibition of the primarily astrocytic glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) slows glutamate clearance to a greater extent at presynaptic compared to postsynaptic membranes. GLT-1 expression was reduced early in a mouse model of AD, resulting in slower glutamate clearance rates at presynaptic but not postsynaptic membranes that opposed presynaptic short-term plasticity. Overall, our data demonstrate that the presynapse is particularly vulnerable to GLT-1 dysfunction and may have implications for presynaptic impairments in a variety of brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J. Brymer
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
| | - Emily P. Hurley
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
| | - Jessica C. Barron
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
| | - Bandhan Mukherjee
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
| | - Jocelyn R. Barnes
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
| | - Firoozeh Nafar
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
| | - Matthew P. Parsons
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
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21
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Barros LF, Ruminot I, Sotelo-Hitschfeld T, Lerchundi R, Fernández-Moncada I. Metabolic Recruitment in Brain Tissue. Annu Rev Physiol 2023; 85:115-135. [PMID: 36270291 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-021422-091035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Information processing imposes urgent metabolic demands on neurons, which have negligible energy stores and restricted access to fuel. Here, we discuss metabolic recruitment, the tissue-level phenomenon whereby active neurons harvest resources from their surroundings. The primary event is the neuronal release of K+ that mirrors workload. Astrocytes sense K+ in exquisite fashion thanks to their unique coexpression of NBCe1 and α2β2 Na+/K+ ATPase, and within seconds switch to Crabtree metabolism, involving GLUT1, aerobic glycolysis, transient suppression of mitochondrial respiration, and lactate export. The lactate surge serves as a secondary recruiter by inhibiting glucose consumption in distant cells. Additional recruiters are glutamate, nitric oxide, and ammonium, which signal over different spatiotemporal domains. The net outcome of these events is that more glucose, lactate, and oxygen are made available. Metabolic recruitment works alongside neurovascular coupling and various averaging strategies to support the inordinate dynamic range of individual neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- L F Barros
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile; .,Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Valdivia, Chile;
| | - I Ruminot
- Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs), Valdivia, Chile; .,Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Valdivia, Chile;
| | - T Sotelo-Hitschfeld
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - R Lerchundi
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), MIRCen, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - I Fernández-Moncada
- NeuroCentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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Looking to the stars for answers: Strategies for determining how astrocytes influence neuronal activity. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:4146-4156. [PMID: 36016711 PMCID: PMC9379862 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.07.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are critical components of neural circuits positioned in close proximity to the synapse, allowing them to rapidly sense and respond to neuronal activity. One repeatedly observed biomarker of astroglial activation is an increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels. These astroglial Ca2+ signals are often observed spreading throughout various cellular compartments from perisynaptic astroglial processes, to major astrocytic branches and on to the soma or cell body. Here we review recent evidence demonstrating that astrocytic Ca2+ events are remarkably heterogeneous in both form and function, propagate through the astroglial syncytia, and are directly linked to the ability of astroglia to influence local neuronal activity. As many of the cellular functions of astroglia can be linked to intracellular Ca2+ signaling, and the diversity and heterogeneity of these events becomes more apparent, there is an increasing need for novel experimental strategies designed to better understand the how these signals evolve in parallel with neuronal activity. Here we review the recent advances that enable the characterization of both subcellular and population-wide astrocytic Ca2+ dynamics. Additionally, we also outline the experimental design required for simultaneous in vivo Ca2+ imaging in the context of neuronal or astroglial manipulation, highlighting new experimental strategies made possible by recent advances in viral vector, imaging, and quantification technologies. Through combined usage of these reagents and methodologies, we provide a conceptual framework to study how astrocytes functionally integrate into neural circuits and to what extent they influence and direct the synaptic activity underlying behavioral responses.
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Schober AL, Wicki-Stordeur LE, Murai KK, Swayne LA. Foundations and implications of astrocyte heterogeneity during brain development and disease. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:692-703. [PMID: 35879116 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes play crucial roles in regulating brain circuit formation and physiology. Recent technological advances have revealed unprecedented levels of astrocyte diversity encompassing molecular, morphological, and functional differences. This diversification is initiated during embryonic specification events and (in rodents) continues into the early postnatal period where it overlaps with peak synapse development and circuit refinement. In fact, several lines of evidence suggest astrocyte diversity both influences and is a consequence of molecular crosstalk among developing astrocytes and other cell types, notably neurons and their synapses. Neurological disease states exhibit additional layers of astrocyte heterogeneity, which could help shed light on these cells' key pathological roles. This review highlights recent advances in clarifying astrocyte heterogeneity and molecular/cellular crosstalk and identifies key outstanding questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Schober
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Keith K Murai
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada; Quantitative Life Sciences Graduate Program, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Leigh Anne Swayne
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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