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Imaging Intracellular Ca2+ Signals in Striatal Astrocytes from Adult Mice Using Genetically-encoded Calcium Indicators
Published on: November 19, 2014
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[Novel function of astrocytes revealed by optogenetics].
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine
|December 19, 2014
Summary
Astrocytes release glutamate, influencing neuronal activity and behavior, when stimulated with light. Controlling astrocyte pH may offer a therapeutic approach for brain ischemia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Astrocyte biology
- Optogenetics
Context:
- Astrocytes, crucial glial cells, respond to neuronal activity but their role in brain function remains unclear.
- Investigating astrocyte-to-neuron signaling pathways is essential to understand astrocyte contributions to neural circuits.
Purpose:
- To determine if astrocytes can influence neuronal activity and behavior.
- To identify the signaling mechanisms by which astrocytes communicate with neurons.
Summary:
- Optogenetics was used to express channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) in astrocytes, enabling light-induced activation.
- Photostimulation triggered glutamate release from astrocytes, modulating neuronal activity and animal behavior via intracellular acidification.
- Archaerhodopsin (ArchT) was used to counteract acidification and suppress astrocytic glutamate release.
Impact:
- Demonstrates a functional pathway for astrocyte-to-neuron signaling.
- Highlights the role of astrocytic pH in regulating neuronal function.
- Suggests therapeutic potential for controlling astrocytic pH in conditions like brain ischemia.
