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A Novel In Vitro Live-imaging Assay of Astrocyte-mediated Phagocytosis Using pH Indicator-conjugated Synaptosomes

A Novel In Vitro Live-imaging Assay of Astrocyte-mediated Phagocytosis Using pH Indicator-conjugated Synaptosomes

Published on: February 5, 2018

Astrocyte-mediated synapse remodeling in the pathological brain.

Sun Kwang Kim¹, Junichi Nabekura^2,3,4, Schuichi Koizumi^4,5

¹Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Korea.

|June 2, 2017

Summary

Mature astrocytes regain immature signaling in adult brain injury, influencing neural circuits and synaptic plasticity. This review explores astrocyte-mediated synapse remodeling from development to pathology.

Keywords:

calcium chronic pain dendritic spine mGluR5 thrombospondin

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Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

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Published on: October 6, 2017

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Glial Biology

Background:

Astrocytes, a type of glia, form tripartite synapses, influencing neural transmission.
Astrocytic signaling, including Ca2+ waves and gliotransmitter release, is crucial in the developing brain.
This signaling is often considered diminished in the adult brain but may re-emerge in pathological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To review astrocyte-mediated synapse remodeling during brain development.
To discuss the re-emergence of immature astrocytic signaling in the adult pathological brain.
To highlight the role of these changes in neural circuit and synaptic plasticity.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on astrocyte-neuron interactions.
Analysis of astrocytic signaling pathways (e.g., mGluR-mediated Ca2+ waves).
Examination of synaptogenic molecules and gliotransmitter release.

Main Results:

Astrocytes actively shape synaptic connections during development.
Mature astrocytes can re-activate immature signaling phenotypes in response to brain injury or pathology.
This phenotypic plasticity contributes to synapse remodeling and functional changes in the diseased brain.

Conclusions:

Astrocytic signaling plays a dynamic role in brain plasticity throughout life.
The re-emergence of immature astrocytic functions in adult pathology offers potential therapeutic targets.
Understanding astrocyte-neuron interactions is key to addressing neurological disorders.