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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
07:56
A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices
Published on: August 11, 2021
The phospholipid mediator platelet-activating factor mediates striatal synaptic facilitation.
Shao-Ming Lu1, Ning Tong, Harris A Gelbard
1Center for Aging and Developmental Biology, Aab Biomedical Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Box 645, 601, Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Pat_Lu@urmc.rochester.edu
Summary
Platelet-activating factor (PAF) modulates brain synaptic function. Its concentration and timing determine if PAF enhances or impairs corticostriatal neurotransmission, impacting neuronal health.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimmunology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid mediator involved in glutamatergic neurotransmission.
- PAF can be secreted by brain mononuclear phagocytes during HIV-1 infection.
- PAF can induce neuronal apoptosis via NMDA receptor-dependent and independent pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of PAF in synaptic facilitation in striatal neurons.
- To determine the effects of varying PAF concentrations and temporal patterns on corticostriatal synapses.
Main Methods:
- Acute and repeated administration of PAF to striatal slices.
- High-frequency and tetanic stimulation of corticostriatal pathways.
- Electrophysiological recording of postsynaptic potentials and action potentials.
- Use of PAF receptor antagonists.
Main Results:
- Sublethal PAF doses augmented synaptic facilitation in striatal neurons, an effect blocked by PAF receptor antagonists.
- Repeated sublethal PAF doses increased the magnitude of postsynaptic and action potentials.
- Lethal PAF doses impaired corticostriatal synapses' capacity for augmented synaptic facilitation.
Conclusions:
- PAF receptor agonism can enhance striatal synaptic facilitation.
- The concentration and temporal pattern of PAF at glutamatergic synapses are critical.
- PAF may act physiologically or pathologically in striatal neurotransmission depending on its expression dynamics.
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