Neuropharmacology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
231, P. 109509 - 109509
Published: March 17, 2023
It
is
well
known
that
astrocytes
play
a
significant
metabolic
role
in
the
nervous
tissue,
maintaining
homeostasis
of
extracellular
space
and
blood-brain
barrier,
providing
trophic
support
to
neurons.
In
addition,
however,
evidence
exists
indicating
as
important
elements
for
brain
activity
through
signaling
exchange
with
Astrocytes,
indeed,
can
sense
synaptic
their
molecular
machinery
responds
neurotransmitters
released
by
neurons
cytoplasmic
Ca2+
elevations
that,
turn,
stimulate
release
neuroactive
substances
(gliotransmitters)
influencing
nearby
both
cell
types
recognition
transduction
this
complex
pattern
signals
mediated
specific
receptors
are
also
involved
mechanisms
tuning
intercellular
cross-talk
between
Two
these
focus
present
discussion.
The
first
concerns
direct
receptor-receptor
interactions
leading
formation
at
membrane
multimeric
receptor
complexes.
cooperativity
emerges
actions
orthosteric
allosteric
ligands
monomers
forming
assembly
provides
decoding
apparatus
sophisticated
flexible
dynamics
terms
signal
pathways.
A
further
mechanism
plasticity
involving
based
on
transfer
cellular
via
microvesicles
acting
protective
containers,
which
lead
transient
changes
transmitting/decoding
capabilities
target
cell.
This
article
part
Special
Issue
"The
interaction
new
therapy".
Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
15
Published: March 2, 2023
Glia
are
as
numerous
in
the
brain
neurons
and
widely
known
to
serve
supportive
roles
such
structural
scaffolding,
extracellular
ionic
neurotransmitter
homeostasis,
metabolic
support.
However,
over
past
two
decades,
several
lines
of
evidence
indicate
that
astrocytes,
which
a
type
glia,
play
active
neural
information
processing.
Astrocytes,
although
not
electrically
active,
can
exhibit
form
excitability
by
dynamic
changes
intracellular
calcium
levels.
They
sense
synaptic
activity
release
neuroactive
substances,
named
gliotransmitters,
modulate
neuronal
transmission
areas,
thus
impacting
animal
behavior.
This
"dialogue"
between
astrocytes
is
embodied
concept
tripartite
synapse
includes
integral
elements
function.
Here,
we
review
recent
work
discuss
how
via
calcium-mediated
processing
at
various
spatial
time
scales.
Essays in Biochemistry,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
67(1), P. 93 - 106
Published: Feb. 7, 2023
Astrocytes
are
ubiquitous
within
the
central
nervous
system
(CNS).
These
cells
possess
many
individual
processes
which
extend
out
into
neuropil,
where
they
interact
with
a
variety
of
other
cell
types,
including
neurons
at
synapses.
now
known
to
be
active
players
in
all
aspects
synaptic
life
cycle,
synapse
formation
and
elimination,
maturation,
maintenance
homeostasis
modulation
transmission.
Traditionally,
astrocytes
have
been
studied
as
homogeneous
group
cells.
However,
recent
studies
uncovered
surprising
degree
heterogeneity
their
development
function,
suggesting
that
may
matched
support
local
circuits.
Hence,
better
understanding
astrocyte
its
implications
needed
understand
brain
function.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
24(10), P. 9067 - 9067
Published: May 22, 2023
Alzheimer’s
disease
(AD)
is
a
chronic
neurodegenerative
and
the
most
frequent
cause
of
progressive
dementia
in
senior
adults.
It
characterized
by
memory
loss
cognitive
impairment
secondary
to
cholinergic
dysfunction
N-methyl-D-aspartate
(NMDA)-mediated
neurotoxicity.
Intracellular
neurofibrillary
tangles,
extracellular
plaques
composed
amyloid-β
(Aβ),
selective
neurodegeneration
are
anatomopathological
hallmarks
this
disease.
The
dysregulation
calcium
may
be
present
all
stages
AD,
it
associated
with
other
pathophysiological
mechanisms,
such
as
mitochondrial
failure,
oxidative
stress,
neuroinflammation.
Although
cytosolic
alterations
AD
not
completely
elucidated,
some
calcium-permeable
channels,
transporters,
pumps,
receptors
have
been
shown
involved
at
neuronal
glial
levels.
In
particular,
relationship
between
glutamatergic
NMDA
receptor
(NMDAR)
activity
amyloidosis
has
widely
documented.
Other
mechanisms
dyshomeostasis
include
activation
L-type
voltage-dependent
transient
potential
ryanodine
receptors,
among
many
others.
This
review
aims
update
calcium-dysregulation
discuss
targets
molecules
therapeutic
based
on
their
modulation.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
14(1)
Published: March 22, 2023
Calcium
dynamics
in
astrocytes
represent
a
fundamental
signal
that
through
gliotransmitter
release
regulates
synaptic
plasticity
and
behaviour.
Here
we
present
longitudinal
study
the
PS2APP
mouse
model
of
Alzheimer's
disease
(AD)
linking
astrocyte
Ca2+
hypoactivity
to
memory
loss.
At
onset
plaque
deposition,
somatosensory
cortical
AD
female
mice
exhibit
drastic
reduction
signaling,
closely
associated
with
decreased
endoplasmic
reticulum
concentration
reduced
expression
sensor
STIM1.
In
parallel,
astrocyte-dependent
long-term
declines
circuitry,
anticipating
specific
tactile
Notably,
show
both
signaling
are
fully
recovered
by
selective
STIM1
overexpression
astrocytes.
Our
data
unveil
neocortical
as
functional
hallmark
early
stages
indicate
astrocytic
target
rescue
deficits.
ACS Chemical Neuroscience,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(15), P. 2729 - 2740
Published: July 2, 2024
Polychlorinated
biphenyls
(PCBs)
are
industrial
chemicals
that
ubiquitously
found
in
the
environment.
Exposure
to
these
compounds
has
been
associated
with
neurotoxic
outcomes;
however,
underlying
mechanisms
for
such
outcomes
remain
be
fully
understood.
Recent
studies
have
shown
astrocytes,
most
abundant
glial
cell
type
brain,
susceptible
PCB
exposure
as
well
human-relevant
metabolites
of
PCBs.
Astrocytes
critical
maintaining
healthy
brain
function
due
their
unique
functional
attributes
and
positioning
within
neuronal
networks
brain.
In
this
study,
we
assessed
toxicity
PCB52,
one
abundantly
congeners
outdoor
indoor
air,
two
its
metabolites,
on
astrocyte
mitochondria.
We
exposed
C6
cells,
an
line,
PCB52
or
all
showed
increased
galactose-containing
media
compared
glucose-containing
media,
indicating
involvement
mitochondria
observed
toxicity.
Additionally,
also
oxidative
stress
upon
metabolites.
All
three
caused
a
loss
mitochondrial
membrane
potential,
distinct
changes
structure,
impaired
function.
The
hydroxylated
metabolite
4-OH-PCB52
likely
functions
uncoupler
This
is
first
study
report
adverse
effects
structure
astrocytes.
Molecular Brain,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
14(1)
Published: Sept. 20, 2021
Abstract
Astrocytes
express
a
plethora
of
G
protein-coupled
receptors
(GPCRs)
that
are
crucial
for
shaping
synaptic
activity.
Upon
GPCR
activation,
astrocytes
can
respond
with
transient
variations
in
intracellular
Ca
2+
.
In
addition,
-dependent
and/or
-independent
release
gliotransmitters
occur,
allowing
them
to
engage
bidirectional
neuron-astrocyte
communication.
The
development
designer
exclusively
activated
by
drugs
(DREADDs)
has
facilitated
many
new
discoveries
on
the
roles
both
physiological
and
pathological
conditions.
They
an
excellent
tool,
as
they
target
endogenous
GPCR-mediated
signal
transduction
pathways
specifically
astrocytes.
With
increasing
interest
accumulating
research
this
topic,
several
discrepancies
astrocytic
signalling
astrocyte-mediated
effects
plasticity
have
emerged,
preventing
clear-cut
consensus
about
downstream
DREADDs
present
study,
we
performed
side-by-side
evaluation
bath
application
DREADD
agonist,
clozapine-N-oxide
(10
µM),
Gq-
Gi-DREADD
activation
mouse
CA1
hippocampal
doing
so,
aimed
avoid
confounding
factors,
such
differences
experimental
procedures,
directly
compare
actions
dynamics
acute
slices.
We
used
adeno-associated
viral
vector
approach
transduce
dorsal
hippocampi
male,
8-week-old
C57BL6/J
mice,
drive
expression
either
Gq-DREADD
or
A
lacking
construct
was
generate
controls.
Here,
show
agonism
Gq-DREADDs,
but
not
Gi-DREADDs,
induced
consistent
increases
spontaneous
events.
Moreover,
demonstrate
well
Gi-DREADD-mediated
induces
long-lasting
potentiation
Schaffer
collateral
pathway
absence
high
frequency
stimulus.
report
first
time
is
sufficient
elicit
de
novo
potentiation.
Our
data
Gq
Gi
drives
through
mechanisms,
respectively.
Immunological Reviews,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
311(1), P. 39 - 49
Published: July 31, 2022
Summary
The
blood–brain
barrier
(BBB)
is
a
selectively
permeable
separating
the
periphery
from
central
nervous
system
(CNS).
BBB
restricts
flow
of
most
material
into
and
out
CNS,
including
many
drugs
that
could
be
used
as
potent
therapies.
permeability
modulated
by
several
cells
are
collectively
called
neurovascular
unit
(NVU).
NVU
consists
specialized
CNS
endothelial
(ECs),
pericytes,
astrocytes,
microglia,
neurons.
ECs
maintain
complex
“seal”
via
tight
junctions,
forming
BBB;
breakdown
these
junctions
leads
to
disruption.
Pericytes
control
vascular
within
capillaries
help
basal
lamina.
Astrocytes
much
has
moved
beyond
EC
layer
can
form
secondary
under
inflammatory
conditions.
Microglia
survey
border
for
noxious
material.
Neuronal
activity
also
plays
role
in
maintenance
BBB.
Since
neurons
all
able
modulate
BBB,
understating
contributions
each
member
will
potentially
uncover
novel
effective
methods
delivery
neurotherapies
CNS.
Neuropharmacology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
237, P. 109636 - 109636
Published: June 15, 2023
It
is
now
generally
accepted
that
astrocytes
are
active
players
in
synaptic
transmission,
so
a
neurocentric
perspective
of
the
integrative
signal
communication
central
nervous
system
shifting
towards
neuro-astrocentric
perspective.
Astrocytes
respond
to
activity,
release
chemical
signals
(gliotransmitters)
and
express
neurotransmitter
receptors
(G
protein-coupled
ionotropic
receptors),
thus
behaving
as
co-actors
with
neurons
system.
The
ability
G
physically
interact
through
heteromerization,
forming
heteromers
receptor
mosaics
new
distinct
recognition
transduction
pathways,
has
been
intensively
studied
at
neuronal
plasma
membrane,
changed
view
One
best-known
examples
receptor-receptor
interaction
relevant
consequences
for
both
physiological
pharmacological
points
view,
given
by
adenosine
A2A
dopamine
D2
on
membrane
striatal
neurons.
Here
we
review
evidence
native
can
heteromerization
well.
Astrocytic
A2A-D2
were
found
able
control
glutamate
from
astrocyte
processes.
processes
discussed
far
their
potential
relevance
glutamatergic
transmission
striatum
concerned,
including
roles
dysregulation
pathological
conditions
schizophrenia
or
Parkinson's
disease.
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
17
Published: March 27, 2023
Designer
Receptors
Exclusively
Activated
by
Drugs
(DREADDs)
have
proven
themselves
as
one
of
the
key
in
vivo
techniques
modern
neuroscience,
allowing
for
unprecedented
access
to
cellular
manipulations
living
animals.
With
respect
astrocyte
research,
DREADDs
become
a
popular
method
examine
functional
aspects
activity,
particularly
G-protein
coupled
receptor
(GPCR)-mediated
intracellular
calcium
(Ca2+)
and
cyclic
adenosine
monophosphate
(cAMP)
dynamics.
this
it
has
possible
directly
link
physiological
astrocytic
function
cognitive
processes
such
memory.
As
result,
multitude
studies
explored
impact
DREADD
activation
astrocytes
on
synaptic
activity
However,
emergence
varying
results
prompts
us
reconsider
degree
which
expressed
accurately
mimic
endogenous
GPCR
activity.
Here
we
compare
major
downstream
signaling
mechanisms,
synaptic,
behavioral
effects
stimulating
Gq-,
Gs-,
Gi-DREADDs
hippocampal
adult
mice
those
endogenously
GPCRs.