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Related Experiment Videos

Astrocytes generate Na+-mediated metabolic waves.

Yann Bernardinelli1, Pierre J Magistretti, Jean-Yves Chatton

  • 1Department of Physiology, University of Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|October 7, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Astrocytes use intercellular sodium (Na+) waves, alongside calcium (Ca2+) waves, to signal and increase glucose uptake. This sodium wave mechanism is driven by glutamate and transporter activity, linking neuronal activity to brain metabolism.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cellular Biology
  • Metabolism

Background:

  • Astrocytes play a crucial role in brain function, mediating communication between neurons and regulating metabolic processes.
  • Intercellular calcium (Ca2+) waves in astrocytes are known to transmit signals and influence cellular activity.
  • The coupling of synaptic activity to glucose consumption by astrocytes is a key aspect of neurometabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of intercellular sodium (Na+) waves in astrocyte signaling.
  • To elucidate the relationship between Na+ waves, Ca2+ waves, and astrocyte-mediated glucose uptake.
  • To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying Na+ wave propagation and its impact on neurometabolic coupling.

Main Methods:

  • Activation of single cultured cortical mouse astrocytes.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Simultaneous monitoring of intracellular Ca2+ and Na+ dynamics.
  • Pharmacological inhibition of Ca2+ waves, Na+/glutamate cotransporters, and extracellular glutamate.
  • Measurement of glucose uptake in astrocytes.

    • Main Results:

    • Intercellular Na+ waves are evoked in astrocytes in parallel with Ca2+ waves, exhibiting distinct spatial and temporal characteristics.
    • Inhibition of Ca2+ waves also affects Na+ waves, suggesting a link between the two signaling pathways.
    • Selective inhibition of Na+/glutamate cotransporters or extracellular glutamate degradation specifically blocks Na+ waves.
    • Na+ waves lead to spatially correlated increases in glucose uptake, a process dependent on glutamate transporter activity.

    Conclusions:

    • Glutamate release, triggered by Ca2+ wave-dependent mechanisms, is taken up by Na+/glutamate cotransporters, initiating regenerative Na+ waves.
    • Astrocytes generate intercellular Na+ waves that are critical for coordinating glucose uptake across the astrocyte network.
    • These findings reveal a novel mechanism of neurometabolic coupling mediated by astrocyte Na+ waves, linking neuronal activity to energy supply.