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Kruyer A, Kalivas PW, Scofield MD. Astrocyte regulation of synaptic signaling in psychiatric disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:21-36. [PMID: 35577914 PMCID: PMC9700696 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01338-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 15 years, the field of neuroscience has evolved toward recognizing the critical role of astroglia in shaping neuronal synaptic activity and along with the pre- and postsynapse is now considered an equal partner in tripartite synaptic transmission and plasticity. The relative youth of this recognition and a corresponding deficit in reagents and technologies for quantifying and manipulating astroglia relative to neurons continues to hamper advances in understanding tripartite synaptic physiology. Nonetheless, substantial advances have been made and are reviewed herein. We review the role of astroglia in synaptic function and regulation of behavior with an eye on how tripartite synapses figure into brain pathologies underlying behavioral impairments in psychiatric disorders, both from the perspective of measures in postmortem human brains and more subtle influences on tripartite synaptic regulation of behavior in animal models of psychiatric symptoms. Our goal is to provide the reader a well-referenced state-of-the-art understanding of current knowledge and predict what we may discover with deeper investigation of tripartite synapses using reagents and technologies not yet available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kruyer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Peter W Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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2
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Buscemi L, Ginet V, Lopatar J, Montana V, Pucci L, Spagnuolo P, Zehnder T, Grubišić V, Truttman A, Sala C, Hirt L, Parpura V, Puyal J, Bezzi P. Homer1 Scaffold Proteins Govern Ca2+ Dynamics in Normal and Reactive Astrocytes. Cereb Cortex 2017; 27:2365-2384. [PMID: 27075036 PMCID: PMC5963825 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In astrocytes, the intracellular calcium (Ca2+) signaling mediated by activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) is crucially involved in the modulation of many aspects of brain physiology, including gliotransmission. Here, we find that the mGlu5-mediated Ca2+ signaling leading to release of glutamate is governed by mGlu5 interaction with Homer1 scaffolding proteins. We show that the long splice variants Homer1b/c are expressed in astrocytic processes, where they cluster with mGlu5 at sites displaying intense local Ca2+ activity. We show that the structural and functional significance of the Homer1b/c-mGlu5 interaction is to relocate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the proximity of the plasma membrane and to optimize Ca2+ signaling and glutamate release. We also show that in reactive astrocytes the short dominant-negative splice variant Homer1a is upregulated. Homer1a, by precluding the mGlu5-ER interaction decreases the intensity of Ca2+ signaling thus limiting the intensity and the duration of glutamate release by astrocytes. Hindering upregulation of Homer1a with a local injection of short interfering RNA in vivo restores mGlu5-mediated Ca2+ signaling and glutamate release and sensitizes astrocytes to apoptosis. We propose that Homer1a may represent one of the cellular mechanisms by which inflammatory astrocytic reactions are beneficial for limiting brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Buscemi
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH1005Lausanne, Switzerland
- Stroke Laboratory, Neurology Service, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University Hospital Centre and University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vanessa Ginet
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH1005Lausanne, Switzerland
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital Centre and University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jan Lopatar
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH1005Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vedrana Montana
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Civitan International Research Center, Atomic Force Microscopy and Nanotechnology Laboratories, and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Luca Pucci
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH1005Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Paola Spagnuolo
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH1005Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Tamara Zehnder
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH1005Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vladimir Grubišić
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Civitan International Research Center, Atomic Force Microscopy and Nanotechnology Laboratories, and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Anita Truttman
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital Centre and University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Sala
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenz Hirt
- Stroke Laboratory, Neurology Service, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University Hospital Centre and University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Civitan International Research Center, Atomic Force Microscopy and Nanotechnology Laboratories, and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Julien Puyal
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH1005Lausanne, Switzerland
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital Centre and University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, CH1005Lausanne, Switzerland
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3
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Jiang R, Haustein MD, Sofroniew MV, Khakh BS. Imaging intracellular Ca²⁺ signals in striatal astrocytes from adult mice using genetically-encoded calcium indicators. J Vis Exp 2014:e51972. [PMID: 25490346 DOI: 10.3791/51972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes display spontaneous intracellular Ca(2+) concentration fluctuations ([Ca(2+)]i) and in several settings respond to neuronal excitation with enhanced [Ca(2+)]i signals. It has been proposed that astrocytes in turn regulate neurons and blood vessels through calcium-dependent mechanisms, such as the release of signaling molecules. However, [Ca(2+)]i imaging in entire astrocytes has only recently become feasible with genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) such as the GCaMP series. The use of GECIs in astrocytes now provides opportunities to study astrocyte [Ca(2+)]i signals in detail within model microcircuits such as the striatum, which is the largest nucleus of the basal ganglia. In the present report, detailed surgical methods to express GECIs in astrocytes in vivo, and confocal imaging approaches to record [Ca(2+)]i signals in striatal astrocytes in situ, are described. We highlight precautions, necessary controls and tests to determine if GECI expression is selective for astrocytes and to evaluate signs of overt astrocyte reactivity. We also describe brain slice and imaging conditions in detail that permit reliable [Ca(2+)]i imaging in striatal astrocytes in situ. The use of these approaches revealed the entire territories of single striatal astrocytes and spontaneous [Ca(2+)]i signals within their somata, branches and branchlets. The further use and expansion of these approaches in the striatum will allow for the detailed study of astrocyte [Ca(2+)]i signals in the striatal microcircuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruotian Jiang
- Department of Physiology, University of California Los Angeles
| | | | | | - Baljit S Khakh
- Department of Physiology, University of California Los Angeles; Department of Neurobiology, University of California Los Angeles;
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Xu J, Chai H, Ehinger K, Egan TM, Srinivasan R, Frick M, Khakh BS. Imaging P2X4 receptor subcellular distribution, trafficking, and regulation using P2X4-pHluorin. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 144:81-104. [PMID: 24935743 PMCID: PMC4076521 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201411169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A P2X4 receptor labeled with the pH-sensitive GFP superecliptic pHluorin represents a useful probe to investigate P2X4 receptor distribution, trafficking, and up-regulation. P2X4 receptors are adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-gated cation channels present on the plasma membrane (PM) and also within intracellular compartments such as vesicles, vacuoles, lamellar bodies (LBs), and lysosomes. P2X4 receptors in microglia are up-regulated in epilepsy and in neuropathic pain; that is to say, their total and/or PM expression levels increase. However, the mechanisms underlying up-regulation of microglial P2X4 receptors remain unclear, in part because it has not been possible to image P2X4 receptor distribution within, or trafficking between, cellular compartments. Here, we report the generation of pH-sensitive fluorescently tagged P2X4 receptors that permit evaluations of cell surface and total receptor pools. Capitalizing on information gained from zebrafish P2X4.1 crystal structures, we designed a series of mouse P2X4 constructs in which a pH-sensitive green fluorescent protein, superecliptic pHluorin (pHluorin), was inserted into nonconserved regions located within flexible loops of the P2X4 receptor extracellular domain. One of these constructs, in which pHluorin was inserted after lysine 122 (P2X4-pHluorin123), functioned like wild-type P2X4 in terms of its peak ATP-evoked responses, macroscopic kinetics, calcium flux, current–voltage relationship, and sensitivity to ATP. P2X4-pHluorin123 also showed pH-dependent fluorescence changes, and was robustly expressed on the membrane and within intracellular compartments. P2X4-pHluorin123 identified cell surface and intracellular fractions of receptors in HEK-293 cells, hippocampal neurons, C8-B4 microglia, and alveolar type II (ATII) cells. Furthermore, it showed that the subcellular fractions of P2X4-pHluorin123 receptors were cell and compartment specific, for example, being larger in hippocampal neuron somata than in C8-B4 cell somata, and larger in C8-B4 microglial processes than in their somata. In ATII cells, P2X4-pHluorin123 showed that P2X4 receptors were secreted onto the PM when LBs undergo exocytosis. Finally, the use of P2X4-pHluorin123 showed that the modulator ivermectin did not increase the PM fraction of P2X4 receptors and acted allosterically to potentiate P2X4 receptor responses. Collectively, our data suggest that P2X4-pHluorin123 represents a useful optical probe to quantitatively explore P2X4 receptor distribution, trafficking, and up-regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Xu
- Department of Physiology and Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Hua Chai
- Department of Physiology and Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | | | - Terrance M Egan
- Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science and The Center for Excellence in Neuroscience, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130 Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science and The Center for Excellence in Neuroscience, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Rahul Srinivasan
- Department of Physiology and Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Manfred Frick
- Institute of General Physiology, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Baljit S Khakh
- Department of Physiology and Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095Department of Physiology and Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
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TRPA1 channels are regulators of astrocyte basal calcium levels and long-term potentiation via constitutive D-serine release. J Neurosci 2013; 33:10143-53. [PMID: 23761909 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5779-12.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are found throughout the brain where they make extensive contacts with neurons and synapses. Astrocytes are known to display intracellular Ca(2+) signals and release signaling molecules such as D-serine into the extracellular space. However, the role(s) of astrocyte Ca(2+) signals in hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic plasticity involved in learning and memory, remains unclear. Here, we explored a recently discovered novel TRPA1 channel-mediated transmembrane Ca(2+) flux pathway in astrocytes. Specifically, we determined whether block or genetic deletion of TRPA1 channels affected LTP of Schaffer collateral to CA1 pyramidal neuron synapses. Using pharmacology, TRPA1(-/-) mice, imaging, electrophysiology, and D-serine biosensors, our data indicate that astrocyte TRPA1 channels contribute to basal Ca(2+) levels and are required for constitutive D-serine release into the extracellular space, which contributes to NMDA receptor-dependent LTP. The findings have broad relevance for the study of astrocyte-neuron interactions by demonstrating how TRPA1 channel-mediated fluxes contribute to astrocyte basal Ca(2+) levels and neuronal function via constitutive D-serine release.
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Inflammatory mediators alter the astrocyte transcriptome and calcium signaling elicited by multiple G-protein-coupled receptors. J Neurosci 2013; 32:14489-510. [PMID: 23077035 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1256-12.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation features in CNS disorders such as stroke, trauma, neurodegeneration, infection, and autoimmunity in which astrocytes play critical roles. To elucidate how inflammatory mediators alter astrocyte functions, we examined effects of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and interferon-gamma (IFNγ), alone and in combination, on purified, mouse primary cortical astrocyte cultures. We used microarrays to conduct whole-genome expression profiling, and measured calcium signaling, which is implicated in mediating dynamic astrocyte functions. Combinatorial exposure to TGF-β1, LPS, and IFNγ significantly modulated astrocyte expression of >6800 gene probes, including >380 synergistic changes not predicted by summing individual treatment effects. Bioinformatic analyses revealed significantly and markedly upregulated molecular networks and pathways associated in particular with immune signaling and regulation of cell injury, death, growth, and proliferation. Highly regulated genes included chemokines, growth factors, enzymes, channels, transporters, and intercellular and intracellular signal transducers. Notably, numerous genes for G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and G-protein effectors involved in calcium signaling were significantly regulated, mostly down (for example, Cxcr4, Adra2a, Ednra, P2ry1, Gnao1, Gng7), but some up (for example, P2ry14, P2ry6, Ccrl2, Gnb4). We tested selected cases and found that changes in GPCR gene expression were accompanied by significant, parallel changes in astrocyte calcium signaling evoked by corresponding GPCR-specific ligands. These findings identify pronounced changes in the astrocyte transcriptome induced by TGF-β1, LPS, and IFNγ, and show that these inflammatory stimuli upregulate astrocyte molecular networks associated with immune- and injury-related functions and significantly alter astrocyte calcium signaling stimulated by multiple GPCRs.
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7
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Tong X, Shigetomi E, Looger LL, Khakh BS. Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicators and Astrocyte Calcium Microdomains. Neuroscientist 2012; 19:274-91. [DOI: 10.1177/1073858412468794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of intracellular Ca2+ signals within astrocytes has changed our view of how these ubiquitous cells contribute to brain function. Classically thought merely to serve supportive functions, astrocytes are increasingly thought to respond to, and regulate, neurons. The use of organic Ca2+ indicator dyes such as Fluo-4 and Fura-2 has proved instrumental in the study of astrocyte physiology. However, progress has recently been accelerated by the use of cytosolic and membrane targeted genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs). Herein, we review these recent findings, discuss why studying astrocyte Ca2+ signals is important to understand brain function, and summarize work that led to the discovery of TRPA1 channel-mediated near-membrane Ca2+ signals in astrocytes and their indirect neuromodulatory roles at inhibitory synapses in the CA1 stratum radiatum region of the hippocampus. We suggest that the use of membrane-targeted and cytosolic GECIs holds great promise to explore the diversity of Ca2+ signals within single astrocytes and also to study diversity of function for astrocytes in different parts of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Tong
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eiji Shigetomi
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Loren L. Looger
- Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Baljit S. Khakh
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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8
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Neuronal P2X2 receptors are mobile ATP sensors that explore the plasma membrane when activated. J Neurosci 2012; 31:16716-30. [PMID: 22090499 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3362-11.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ATP-gated ionotropic P2X2 receptors are widely expressed in neurons. Although the electrophysiological properties of P2X2 receptors have been extensively studied, little is known about the plasma membrane lateral mobility of P2X2 receptors or whether receptor mobility is regulated by ATP. Here we used single-molecule imaging with simultaneous whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings to track quantum dot-labeled P2X2 receptors in the dendrites of rat hippocampal neurons to explore P2X2 receptor mobility and its regulation. We find that plasma membrane P2X2 receptor lateral mobility in dendrites is heterogeneous but mostly Brownian in nature, consisting of mobile and slowly mobile receptor pools. Moreover, lateral mobility is P2X2 subunit and cell specific, is increased in an activation-dependent manner, and is regulated by cytosolic VILIP1, a calcium binding protein. Our data provide the first direct measures of P2X receptor mobility and show that P2X2 receptors are mobile ATP sensors, sampling more of the dendritic plasma membrane in response to ATP.
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TRPA1 channels regulate astrocyte resting calcium and inhibitory synapse efficacy through GAT-3. Nat Neurosci 2011; 15:70-80. [PMID: 22158513 PMCID: PMC3282183 DOI: 10.1038/nn.3000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 334] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2011] [Accepted: 11/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes contribute to the formation and function of synapses and are found throughout the brain, where they show intracellular store-mediated Ca(2+) signals. Here, using a membrane-tethered, genetically encoded calcium indicator (Lck-GCaMP3), we report the serendipitous discovery of a new type of Ca(2+) signal in rat hippocampal astrocyte-neuron cocultures. We found that Ca(2+) fluxes mediated by transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) channels gave rise to frequent and highly localized 'spotty' Ca(2+) microdomains near the membrane that contributed appreciably to resting Ca(2+) in astrocytes. Mechanistic evaluations in brain slices showed that decreases in astrocyte resting Ca(2+) concentrations mediated by TRPA1 channels decreased interneuron inhibitory synapse efficacy by reducing GABA transport by GAT-3, thus elevating extracellular GABA. Our data show how a transmembrane Ca(2+) source (TRPA1) targets a transporter (GAT-3) in astrocytes to regulate inhibitory synapses.
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Monitoring astrocyte calcium microdomains with improved membrane targeted GCaMP reporters. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 6:183-91. [PMID: 21205365 DOI: 10.1017/s1740925x10000219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes are involved in synaptic and cerebrovascular regulation in the brain. These functions are regulated by intracellular calcium signalling that is thought to reflect a form of astrocyte excitability. In a recent study, we reported modification of the genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI) GCaMP2 with a membrane-tethering domain, Lck, to generate Lck-GCaMP2. This GECI allowed us to detect novel microdomain calcium signals. The microdomains were random and 'spotty' in nature. In order to detect such signals more reliably, in the present study we further modified Lck-GCaMP2 to carry three mutations in the GCaMP2 moiety (M153K, T203V within EGFP and N60D in the CaM domain) to generate Lck-GCaMP3. We directly compared Lck-GCaMP2 and Lck-GCaMP3 by assessing their ability to monitor several types of astrocyte calcium signals with a focus on spotty microdomains. Our data show that Lck-GCaMP3 is between two- and four-times better than Lck-GCaMP2 in terms of its basal fluorescence intensity, signal-to-noise and its ability to detect microdomains. The use of Lck-GCaMP3 thus represents a significantly improved way to monitor astrocyte calcium signals, including microdomains, and will facilitate detailed exploration of their molecular mechanisms and physiological roles.
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Merriam LA, Locknar SA, Girard BM, Parsons RL. Somatic ATP release from guinea pig sympathetic neurons does not require calcium-induced calcium release from internal stores. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2010; 299:C836-43. [PMID: 20668213 PMCID: PMC2957269 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00036.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2010] [Accepted: 07/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Prior studies indicated that a Ca(2+)-dependent release of ATP can be initiated from the soma of sympathetic neurons dissociated from guinea pig stellate ganglia. Previous studies also indicated that Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) can modulate membrane excitability in these same neurons. As Ca(2+) release from internal stores is thought to support somatodendritic transmitter release in other neurons, the present study investigated whether CICR is essential for somatic ATP release from dissociated sympathetic neurons. Caffeine increased intracellular Ca(2+) and activated two inward currents: a slow inward current (SIC) in 85% of cells, and multiple faster inward currents [asynchronous transient inward currents (ASTICs)] in 40% of cells voltage-clamped to negative potentials. Caffeine evoked both currents when cells were bathed in a Ca(2+)-deficient solution, indicating that both were initiated by Ca(2+) release from ryanodine-sensitive stores in the endoplasmic reticulum. Sodium influx contributed to generation of both SICs and ASTICs, but only ASTICs were inhibited by the presence of the P2X receptor blocker PPADs. Thus ASTICs, but not SICs, resulted from an ATP activation of P2X receptors. Ionomycin induced ASTICs in a Ca(2+)-containing solution, but not when it was applied in a Ca(2+)-deficient solution, demonstrating the key requirement for external Ca(2+) in initiating ASTICs by ionomycin. Pretreatment with drugs to deplete the internal stores of Ca(2+) did not block the ability of ionomycin or long depolarizing voltage steps to initiate ASTICs. Although a caffeine-induced release of Ca(2+) from internal stores can elicit both SICs and ASTICs in dissociated sympathetic neurons, CICR is not required for the somatic release of ATP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Merriam
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Univ. of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
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12
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A genetically targeted optical sensor to monitor calcium signals in astrocyte processes. Nat Neurosci 2010; 13:759-66. [PMID: 20495558 DOI: 10.1038/nn.2557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2009] [Accepted: 04/15/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Calcium signaling is studied as a potential form of astrocyte excitability that may control astrocyte involvement in synaptic and cerebrovascular regulation. Fundamental questions remain unanswered about astrocyte calcium signaling, as current methods can not resolve calcium in small volume compartments, such as near the cell membrane and in distal cell processes. We modified the genetically encoded calcium sensor GCaMP2 with a membrane-tethering domain, Lck, increasing the level of Lck-GCaMP2 near the plasma membrane tenfold as compared with conventional GCaMP2. Using Lck-GCaMP2 in rat hippocampal astrocyte-neuron cocultures, we measured near-membrane calcium signals that were evoked pharmacologically or by single action potential-mediated neurotransmitter release. Moreover, we identified highly localized and frequent spontaneous calcium signals in astrocyte somata and processes that conventional GCaMP2 failed to detect. Lck-GCaMP2 acts as a genetically targeted calcium sensor for monitoring calcium signals in previously inaccessible parts of astrocytes, including fine processes.
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