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Optogenetic Activation of Astrocytes-Effects on Neuronal Network Function.
Evgenii Gerasimov1, Alexander Erofeev1, Anastasia Borodinova2
1Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Khlopina St. 11, 194021 St. Petersburg, Russia.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|September 10, 2021
Summary
Optogenetics can control astrocyte activity to modulate neuronal function. Activating astrocytes with Opto-α1AR optogenetically shows potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases by normalizing synaptic plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neurobiology
- Optogenetics
- Astrocyte Biology
Background:
- Optogenetics offers precise control over cellular activity.
- Typically used for neuronal control, this study explores astrocyte modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate optogenetic stimulation of astrocytes for modulating neuronal activity.
- To determine optimal parameters for activating astrocytes using ChR2 and Opto-α1AR.
Main Methods:
- Utilized optogenetics to express ChR2 (ionotropic) and Opto-α1AR (metabotropic) in astrocytes.
- Employed patch-clamp recordings in hippocampal slices to measure neuronal activity.
- Optimized light stimulation parameters for astrocyte activation.
Main Results:
- Continuous light (5s) best increased synaptic currents with ChR2(H134R)-expressing astrocytes.
- Pulsed stimulation (T=1s, t=100ms) optimized responses for Opto-α1AR-expressing astrocytes.
- Opto-α1AR activation, but not ChR2, increased the fEPSP slope in hippocampal neurons.
Conclusions:
- Opto-α1AR in astrocytes enables optogenetic modulation of long-term synaptic plasticity.
- This approach may help normalize synaptic defects in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
