Astrocytes Are Endogenous Regulators of Basal Transmission at Central Synapses

1. Cell. 2011 Sep 2;146(5):785-98. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.07.022.

Astrocytes are endogenous regulators of basal transmission at central synapses.

Panatier A(1), Vallée J, Haber M, Murai KK, Lacaille JC, Robitaille R.

Author information:
(1)Département de physiologie, Université de Montréal, PO Box 6128, Station
Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.

Comment in
Cell. 2011 Sep 2;146(5):675-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.08.006.

Basal synaptic transmission involves the release of neurotransmitters at
individual synapses in response to a single action potential. Recent discoveries
show that astrocytes modulate the activity of neuronal networks upon sustained
and intense synaptic activity. However, their ability to regulate basal synaptic
transmission remains ill defined and controversial. Here, we show that
astrocytes in the hippocampal CA1 region detect synaptic activity induced by
single-synaptic stimulation. Astrocyte activation occurs at functional
compartments found along astrocytic processes and involves metabotropic
glutamate subtype 5 receptors. In response, astrocytes increase basal synaptic
transmission, as revealed by the blockade of their activity with a Ca(2+)
chelator. Astrocytic modulation of basal synaptic transmission is mediated by
the release of purines and the activation of presynaptic A(2A) receptors by
adenosine. Our work uncovers an essential role for astrocytes in the regulation
of elementary synaptic communication and provides insight into fundamental
aspects of brain function.

Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.07.022
PMID: 21855979 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Auteurs Bordeaux Neurocampus