成年小鼠的星形胶质细胞解偶联会损害突触可塑性和空间学习能力。
Decoupling astrocytes in adult mice impairs synaptic plasticity and spatial learning.
机构信息
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
出版信息
Cell Rep. 2022 Mar 8;38(10):110484. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110484.
The mechanisms by which astrocytes modulate neural homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, and memory are still poorly explored. Astrocytes form large intercellular networks by gap junction coupling, mainly composed of two gap junction channel proteins, connexin 30 (Cx30) and connexin 43 (Cx43). To circumvent developmental perturbations and to test whether astrocytic gap junction coupling is required for hippocampal neural circuit function and behavior, we generate and study inducible, astrocyte-specific Cx30 and Cx43 double knockouts. Surprisingly, disrupting astrocytic coupling in adult mice results in broad activation of astrocytes and microglia, without obvious signs of pathology. We show that hippocampal CA1 neuron excitability, excitatory synaptic transmission, and long-term potentiation are significantly affected. Moreover, behavioral inspection reveals deficits in sensorimotor performance and a complete lack of spatial learning and memory. Together, our findings establish that astrocytic connexins and an intact astroglial network in the adult brain are vital for neural homeostasis, plasticity, and spatial cognition.
星形胶质细胞调节神经内稳态、突触可塑性和记忆的机制仍未被充分探索。星形胶质细胞通过缝隙连接耦联形成大型细胞间网络,主要由两种缝隙连接通道蛋白组成:连接蛋白 30(Cx30)和连接蛋白 43(Cx43)。为了规避发育干扰并测试星形胶质细胞缝隙连接偶联是否对海马神经回路功能和行为至关重要,我们生成并研究了诱导型、星形胶质细胞特异性 Cx30 和 Cx43 双重敲除小鼠。令人惊讶的是,成年小鼠星形胶质细胞偶联的破坏导致星形胶质细胞和小胶质细胞广泛激活,而没有明显的病理迹象。我们表明,海马 CA1 神经元兴奋性、兴奋性突触传递和长时程增强显著受到影响。此外,行为检查显示感觉运动表现缺陷以及完全缺乏空间学习和记忆。总之,我们的研究结果表明,成年大脑中的星形胶质细胞连接蛋白和完整的星形胶质网络对于神经内稳态、可塑性和空间认知至关重要。