Cells,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
13(11), P. 969 - 969
Published: June 3, 2024
Astrocytes
are
ubiquitous
in
the
brain
and
spinal
cord
display
a
complex
morphology
important
for
local
interactions
with
neighboring
cells,
resulting
modulation
of
circuit
function.
Thus,
studies
focusing
on
astrocyte
physiology
healthy
diseased
generally
present
analyses
astrocytic
structure.
The
labeling
method
used
to
visualize
structure
defines
morphological
level
observe
may
vary
depending
anatomical
sub-regions.
choice
significantly
affect
our
understanding
their
structural
diversity.
main
goal
this
work
was
identify
straightforward
efficient
protocol
reconstructing
detailed
apply
validate
different
tissue
preparations
across
laboratories.
For
that,
we
explored
processing
protocols
before
GFAP
determine
most
effective
backbones
mouse
hippocampus.
Our
results
show
that
reconstruction
vibratome
sections
labeled
by
free-floating
immunofluorescence
provides
more
practical
achieve
higher
detail
arbor
complexity
backbone
reconstruction.
Free-floating
is
reliable
obtaining
better
antibody
penetration
Finally,
also
introducing
an
antigen
retrieval
step
appears
useful
visualizing
complete
details.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: May 22, 2024
Abstract
Locus
coeruleus
(LC)-derived
norepinephrine
(NE)
drives
network
and
behavioral
adaptations
to
environmental
saliencies
by
reconfiguring
circuit
connectivity,
but
the
underlying
synapse-level
mechanisms
are
elusive.
Here,
we
show
that
NE
remodeling
of
synaptic
function
is
independent
from
its
binding
on
neuronal
receptors.
Instead,
astrocytic
adrenergic
receptors
Ca
2+
dynamics
fully
gate
effect
synapses
as
astrocyte-specific
deletion
three
astrocyte-silencing
approaches
all
render
insensitive
NE.
Additionally,
find
suppression
strength
results
an
ATP-derived
adenosine
A1
receptor-mediated
control
presynaptic
efficacy.
An
accompanying
study
Chen
et
al.
reveals
existence
analogous
pathway
in
larval
zebrafish
highlights
importance
state
transitions.
Together,
these
findings
fuel
a
new
model
wherein
astrocytes
core
component
neuromodulatory
systems
effector
through
which
produces
adaptations,
challenging
80-year-old
status
quo.
Neuron,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
112(20), P. 3412 - 3423.e6
Published: Aug. 19, 2024
Astrocytes
are
morphologically
complex
cells
that
serve
essential
roles.
They
widely
implicated
in
central
nervous
system
(CNS)
disorders,
with
changes
astrocyte
morphology
and
gene
expression
accompanying
disease.
In
the
Sapap3
knockout
(KO)
mouse
model
of
compulsive
anxiety-related
behaviors
related
to
obsessive-compulsive
disorder
(OCD),
striatal
astrocytes
display
reduced
altered
actin
cytoskeleton
Gi-G-protein-coupled
receptor
(Gi-GPCR)
signaling
proteins.
Here,
we
show
normalizing
morphology,
cytoskeleton,
homeostatic
support
functions
by
targeting
Gi-GPCR
pathway
using
chemogenetics
corrected
phenotypes
KO
mice,
including
behaviors.
Our
data
portend
an
astrocytic
pharmacological
strategy
for
rescuing
brain
disorders
include
compromised
tissue
support.
Biomolecules,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(10), P. 1204 - 1204
Published: Sept. 25, 2024
Astrocytes
are
one
of
the
key
glial
types
central
nervous
system
(CNS),
accounting
for
over
20%
total
cells
in
brain.
Extensive
evidence
has
established
their
indispensable
functions
maintenance
CNS
homeostasis,
as
well
broad
involvement
neurological
conditions.
In
particular,
astrocytes
can
participate
various
neuroinflammatory
processes,
e.g.,
releasing
a
repertoire
cytokines
and
chemokines
or
specific
neurotrophic
factors,
which
result
both
beneficial
detrimental
effects.
It
become
increasingly
clear
that
such
astrocyte-mediated
neuroinflammation,
together
with
its
complex
crosstalk
other
immune
cells,
designates
neuronal
survival
functional
integrity
neurocircuits,
thus
critically
contributing
to
disease
onset
progression.
this
review,
we
focus
on
current
knowledge
responses
astrocytes,
summarizing
common
features
Moreover,
highlight
several
vital
questions
future
research
promise
novel
insights
into
diagnostic
therapeutic
strategies
against
those
debilitating
diseases.
Current Biology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
34(11), P. 2418 - 2433.e4
Published: May 14, 2024
A
primary
cilium
is
a
membrane-bound
extension
from
the
cell
surface
that
contains
receptors
for
perceiving
and
transmitting
signals
modulate
state
activity.
Primary
cilia
in
brain
are
less
accessible
than
on
cultured
cells
or
epithelial
tissues
because
they
protrude
into
deep,
dense
network
of
glial
neuronal
processes.
Here,
we
investigated
frequency,
internal
structure,
shape,
position
large,
high-resolution
transmission
electron
microscopy
volumes
mouse
visual
cortex.
Cilia
extended
bodies
nearly
all
excitatory
inhibitory
neurons,
astrocytes,
oligodendrocyte
precursor
(OPCs)
but
were
absent
oligodendrocytes
microglia.
Ultrastructural
comparisons
revealed
base
microtubule
organization
differed
between
neurons
glia.
Investigating
cilia-proximal
features
many
directly
adjacent
to
synapses,
suggesting
poised
encounter
locally
released
signaling
molecules.
Our
analysis
indicated
synapse
proximity
likely
due
random
encounters
neuropil,
with
no
evidence
activity
as
would
be
expected
tetrapartite
synapses.
The
observed
class
differences
synapses
largely
external
length.
Many
key
structural
influenced
both
placement
shape
and,
thus,
exposure
processes
outside
cilium.
Together,
ultrastructure
within
around
suggest
formation
function
across
types
brain.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 29, 2025
Abstract
Astrocytes
are
the
predominant
type
of
glia
in
central
nervous
system
and
have
long
branched
stem
processes
peripheral
astrocyte
(PAPs)
contacting
neurons
other
glial
cells.
In
many
cell
types,
morphology
motility
depend
on
actin
cytoskeleton.
However,
a
common
culture
method
serum-containing
medium
generated
undesired
fibroblast-like
cells;
thus,
roles
cytoskeletal
proteins
not
been
well
studied.
Previously,
we
reported
chicken
astrocytes
forming
structures
similar
to
PAPs.
current
study,
improved
transfection
methods
retaining
at
low
density,
suitable
for
observing
behavior
proteins.
Immunostaining
live
imaging
plasma
membrane-actin
linking
protein
ezrin
(a
PAP
marker)
another
actin-binding
lasp-2
(highly
expressed
cultured
astrocytes)
demonstrated
that
our
had
microvillus
protrusions,
filopodia,
lamellipodia,
focal
adhesion-like
elliptical
structures,
two
accumulated
different
substructures.
Our
developed
offer
significant
advantages
analyzing
how
form
PAPs
access
target
The Journal of Physiology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 3, 2025
Abstract
The
morphological
features
of
astrocytes
are
crucial
for
brain
homeostasis,
synaptic
activity
and
structural
support,
yet
remain
poorly
quantified.
As
a
result
the
nanometre‐sized
cross‐section
neuropil
astrocytic
processes,
electron
microscopy
(EM)
is
only
technique
availabe
to
date
capable
revealing
their
finest
morphologies.
Volume
EM
(vEM)
techniques,
such
as
serial
block‐face
or
focused
ion
beam
scanning
EM,
enable
high‐resolution
imaging
large
fields
allow
more
extensive
3‐D
model
analyses,
new
features.
This
scoping
review
aims
summarize
state
art
astrocyte
ultrastructural
analysis.
included
45
439
non‐duplicated
articles
from
Pubmed
search,
categorizing
studies
by
research
focus,
animal
models,
region,
vEM
techniques
segmentation
methods.
By
answering
classical
questions
volume,
surface
area,
branching
complexity
ensheathment
reported
in
literature,
this
work
valuable
resource
scientists
working
on
biology
computational
neuroscience.
image
Brain Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(5), P. 435 - 435
Published: April 27, 2024
Psychostimulants
alter
cellular
morphology
and
activate
neuroimmune
signaling
in
a
number
of
brain
regions,
yet
few
prior
studies
have
investigated
their
persistence
beyond
acute
abstinence
or
following
high
levels
voluntary
drug
intake.
In
this
study,
we
examined
the
effects
repeated
binge-like
self-administration
(96
h/week
for
3
weeks)
methamphetamine
(METH)
21
days
female
male
rats
on
changes
cell
density,
morphology,
cytokine
two
addiction-related
regions—the
prefrontal
cortex
(PFC)
dorsal
striatum
(DStr).
We
also
similar
patterns
intake
cocaine-like
synthetic
cathinone
derivative
3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone
(MDPV)
saline
as
control.
Robust
METH
MDPV
(~500–1000
infusions
per
96
h
period)
were
observed
both
sexes.
no
astrocyte
neuron
density
either
region,
but
decreases
dendritic
spine
densities
PFC
pyramidal
DStr
medium
spiny
neurons.
The
microglial
was
decreased
self-administering
animals,
accompanied
by
evidence
apoptosis.
Changes
(e.g.,
territorial
volume
ramification
increased
soma
volume)
observed,
indicative
an
inflammatory-like
state.
Multiplex
analyses
content
revealed
elevated
various
interleukins
chemokines
only
with
region-
sex-dependent
effects.
Our
findings
suggest
that
induces
perturbations
brain,
they
are
divergent
responses
persist
initial
phase.