Is astrocyte calcium signaling relevant for synaptic plasticity?

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarrah Ben Achour ◽  
Lorena Pont-Lezica ◽  
Catherine Béchade ◽  
Olivier Pascual
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Calcium Signaling ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Pivotal Role ◽  
Calcium Flux ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Structural Functions

Astrocytes constitute a major group of glial cells which were long regarded as passive elements, fulfilling nutritive and structural functions for neurons. Calcium rise in astrocytes propagating to neurons was the first demonstration of direct interaction between the two cell types. Since then, calcium has been widely used, not only as an indicator of astrocytic activity but also as a stimulator switch to control astrocyte physiology. As a result, astrocytes have been elevated from auxiliaries to neurons, to cells involved in processing synaptic information. Curiously, while there is evidence that astrocytes play an important role in synaptic plasticity, the data relating to calcium's pivotal role are inconsistent. In this review, we will detail the various mechanisms of calcium flux in astrocytes, then briefly present the calcium-dependent mechanisms of gliotransmitter release. Finally, we will discuss the role of calcium in plasticity and present alternative explanations that could reconcile the conflicting results published recently.

scholarly journals The Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis and Alzheimer Disease. From Dysbiosis to Neurodegeneration: Focus on the Central Nervous System Glial Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2358
Author(s):  
Maria Grazia Giovannini ◽  
Daniele Lana ◽  
Chiara Traini ◽  
Maria Giuliana Vannucchi
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer Disease ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Diseased State ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Alzheimer Disease Pathogenesis ◽  
Brain Homeostasis

The microbiota–gut system can be thought of as a single unit that interacts with the brain via the “two-way” microbiota–gut–brain axis. Through this axis, a constant interplay mediated by the several products originating from the microbiota guarantees the physiological development and shaping of the gut and the brain. In the present review will be described the modalities through which the microbiota and gut control each other, and the main microbiota products conditioning both local and brain homeostasis. Much evidence has accumulated over the past decade in favor of a significant association between dysbiosis, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Presently, the pathogenetic mechanisms triggered by molecules produced by the altered microbiota, also responsible for the onset and evolution of Alzheimer disease, will be described. Our attention will be focused on the role of astrocytes and microglia. Numerous studies have progressively demonstrated how these glial cells are important to ensure an adequate environment for neuronal activity in healthy conditions. Furthermore, it is becoming evident how both cell types can mediate the onset of neuroinflammation and lead to neurodegeneration when subjected to pathological stimuli. Based on this information, the role of the major microbiota products in shifting the activation profiles of astrocytes and microglia from a healthy to a diseased state will be discussed, focusing on Alzheimer disease pathogenesis.

scholarly journals The Role of Macrophages in Vascular Repair and Regeneration after Ischemic Injury

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 6328
Author(s):  
Huiling Hong ◽  
Xiao Yu Tian
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Potential Interaction ◽  
Hindlimb Ischemia ◽  
Vascular Repair ◽  
Injury Repair ◽  
Vascular Beds

Macrophage is one of the important players in immune response which perform many different functions during tissue injury, repair, and regeneration. Studies using animal models of cardiovascular diseases have provided a clear picture describing the effect of macrophages and their phenotype during injury and regeneration of various vascular beds. Many data have been generated to demonstrate that macrophages secrete many important factors including cytokines and growth factors to regulate angiogenesis and arteriogenesis, acting directly or indirectly on the vascular cells. Different subsets of macrophages may participate at different stages of vascular repair. Recent findings also suggest a direct interaction between macrophages and other cell types during the generation and repair of vasculature. In this short review, we focused our discussion on how macrophages adapt to the surrounding microenvironment and their potential interaction with other cells, in the context of vascular repair supported by evidences mostly from studies using hindlimb ischemia as a model for studying post-ischemic vascular repair.

scholarly journals Astrocytes: News about Brain Health and Diseases

Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 394
Author(s):  
Jacopo Meldolesi
Keyword(s):  
Glial Cells ◽  
Present State ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Traumatic Injuries ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Brain Physiology ◽  
And Function

Astrocytes, the most numerous glial cells in the brains of humans and other mammalian animals, have been studied since their discovery over 100 years ago. For many decades, however, astrocytes were believed to operate as a glue, providing only mechanical and metabolic support to adjacent neurons. Starting from a “revolution” initiated about 25 years ago, numerous astrocyte functions have been reconsidered, some previously unknown, others attributed to neurons or other cell types. The knowledge of astrocytes has been continuously growing during the last few years. Based on these considerations, in the present review, different from single or general overviews, focused on six astrocyte functions, chosen due in their relevance in both brain physiology and pathology. Astrocytes, previously believed to be homogeneous, are now recognized to be heterogeneous, composed by types distinct in structure, distribution, and function; their cooperation with microglia is known to govern local neuroinflammation and brain restoration upon traumatic injuries; and astrocyte senescence is relevant for the development of both health and diseases. Knowledge regarding the role of astrocytes in tauopathies and Alzheimer’s disease has grow considerably. The multiple properties emphasized here, relevant for the present state of astrocytes, will be further developed by ongoing and future studies.

scholarly journals A pivotal role of GSK-3 in synaptic plasticity

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarrisa A. Bradley ◽  
Stéphane Peineau ◽  
Changiz Taghibiglou ◽  
Celine S. Nicolas ◽  
Daniel J. Whitcomb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Pivotal Role

scholarly journals Role of calcium in volume regulation by dog red blood cells.

1975 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
J C Parker ◽  
H J Gitelman ◽  
P S Glosson ◽  
D L Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Sodium Concentration ◽  
Calcium Flux ◽  
Osmotic Swelling ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Sodium Extrusion ◽  
Calcium Permeability ◽  
External Calcium

Dog red blood cells (RBC) are shown to regulate their volume in anisosmotic media. Extrusion of water from osmotically swollen cells requires external calcium and is associated with net outward sodium movement. Accumulation of water by osmotically shrunken cells is not calcium dependent and is associated with net sodium uptake. Net movements of calcium are influenced by several variables including cell volume, pH, medium sodium concentration, and cellular sodium concentration. Osmotic swelling of cells increases calcium permeability, and this effect is diminished at acid pH. Net calcium flux in either direction between cells and medium is facilitated when the sodium concentrations is low in the compartment from which calcium moves and/or high in the compartment to which calcium moves. The hypothesis is advanced that energy for active sodium extrusion in dog RBC comes from passive, inward flow of calcium through a countertransport mechanism.

Calcium Signaling in Neurons and Glial Cells: Role of Cav1 channels

Neuroscience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 421 ◽  
pp. 95-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitor S. Alves ◽  
Hélio S. Alves-Silva ◽  
Diego J.B. Orts ◽  
Luísa Ribeiro-Silva ◽  
Manoel Arcisio-Miranda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Signaling ◽  
Glial Cells

An Active Role for Astrocytes in Synaptic Plasticity?

2010 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 1216-1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Wenker
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Intracellular Calcium ◽  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Intracellular Calcium Concentration ◽  
Synaptic Potentiation ◽  
Calcium Dependent

Recently, Henneberger and colleagues blocked hippocampal long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP) induction by “clamping” intracellular calcium concentration of individual CA1 astrocytes, suggesting calcium-dependent gliotransmitter release from astocytes plays a role in hippocampal LTP induction. However, using transgenic mice to manipulate astrocytic calcium, Agulhon and colleagues demonstrated no effect on LTP induction. Until the question of how intracellular calcium causes gliotransmitter release is answered, the role of astrocytes in synaptic plasticity will be incompletely understood.

scholarly journals The Endocannabinoid System in Glial Cells and Their Profitable Interactions to Treat Epilepsy: Evidence from Animal Models

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (24) ◽  
pp. 13231
Author(s):  
Jon Egaña-Huguet ◽  
Edgar Soria-Gómez ◽  
Pedro Grandes
Keyword(s):  
Glial Cells ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Neuronal Viability ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Novel Target ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
The Impact

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions. Yearly, five million people are diagnosed with epileptic-related disorders. The neuroprotective and therapeutic effect of (endo)cannabinoid compounds has been extensively investigated in several models of epilepsy. Therefore, the study of specific cell-type-dependent mechanisms underlying cannabinoid effects is crucial to understanding epileptic disorders. It is estimated that about 100 billion neurons and a roughly equal number of glial cells co-exist in the human brain. The glial population is in charge of neuronal viability, and therefore, their participation in brain pathophysiology is crucial. Furthermore, glial malfunctioning occurs in a wide range of neurological disorders. However, little is known about the impact of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulation over glial cells, even less in pathological conditions such as epilepsy. In this review, we aim to compile the existing knowledge on the role of the ECS in different cell types, with a particular emphasis on glial cells and their impact on epilepsy. Thus, we propose that glial cells could be a novel target for cannabinoid agents for treating the etiology of epilepsy and managing seizure-like disorders.

Abstract 200: Novel Interaction of Spinophilin with Alpha1a-Adrenergic Receptor and its Genetic Variant in Cardiovascular Cells

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Babaeva ◽  
Irina Gradinaru ◽  
Debra A Schwinn ◽  
Anush Oganesian
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variant ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Intracellular Loop ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Cardiovascular Cells ◽  
Novel Target ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Activation of α 1 -Adrenergic Receptors (α 1 ARs), members of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, in response to stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system by catecholamines plays a major role in regulating cardiovascular (CV) function. Among three α 1 AR subtypes (α 1a ,α 1b ,α 1d ), α 1a ARs predominate in human resistant vessels and in heart. Recently, we discovered that naturally occurring human α 1a AR-G247R (247R) genetic variant, identified in the 3 rd intracellular loop (3iL) of the receptor in highly hypertensive patient, triggers constitutive hyperproliferation in CV cells (cardiomyoblasts, smooth muscle cells (SMC) and fibroblasts), which may lead to myocardial fibrosis and remodeling. In fibroblasts and cardiomyoblasts 247R triggered hyperproliferation is due to constitutive active coupling to Gq-independent βarrestin1/MMP/EGFR/ERK dependent pathway, while in SMC it is Gq- and MMP/EGFR/ERK-dependent. Here we report that α 1a AR-WT (WT) and 247R differentially interact with ubiquitous multi-domain scaffold protein spinophilin (SPL) that binds to 3iL of several GPCRs competing with arrestin thereby prolonging their signaling. The role of SPL in CV regulation is poorly studied. We hypothesized that SPL mediates constitutive signaling of 247R and examined whether SPL directly interacts with α 1a AR-WT or 247R. Our preliminary results reveal a direct interaction of SPL with WT and 247R: the SPL-WT interaction appears to be stronger as determined by co-immunoprecipitation. Different domains of SPL differentially interact with WT or 247R. SPL 1-480aa fragment interacts stronger with WT indicating interaction with 3iL, while SPL 480-817 fragment interacts stronger with 247R. Our preliminary results also demonstrate that 247R expression in all three cell types elevates endogenous SPL protein levels. Importantly, inhibition of SPL expression with specific siRNA reduces 247R-triggered hyperproliferation in SMC and cardiomyoblasts to near normal levels, while SPL knockdown has no effect in WT cells. Thus, we identified SPL as a novel protein involved in interacting and signaling of α 1a AR and its genetic variant in CV cells and that SPL could be considered as a potentially novel target in α 1a AR-mediated cardiovascular disorders.

scholarly journals Development, Diversity, and Neurogenic Capacity of Enteric Glia

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werend Boesmans ◽  
Amelia Nash ◽  
Kinga R. Tasnády ◽  
Wendy Yang ◽  
Lincon A. Stamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Enteric Nervous System ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Enteric Neurons ◽  
Enteric Glia ◽  
Enteric Glial Cells ◽  
Functional Versatility

Enteric glia are a fascinating population of cells. Initially identified in the gut wall as the “support” cells of the enteric nervous system, studies over the past 20 years have unveiled a vast array of functions carried out by enteric glia. They mediate enteric nervous system signalling and play a vital role in the local regulation of gut functions. Enteric glial cells interact with other gastrointestinal cell types such as those of the epithelium and immune system to preserve homeostasis, and are perceptive to luminal content. Their functional versatility and phenotypic heterogeneity are mirrored by an extensive level of plasticity, illustrated by their reactivity in conditions associated with enteric nervous system dysfunction and disease. As one of the hallmarks of their plasticity and extending their operative relationship with enteric neurons, enteric glia also display neurogenic potential. In this review, we focus on the development of enteric glial cells, and the mechanisms behind their heterogeneity in the adult gut. In addition, we discuss what is currently known about the role of enteric glia as neural precursors in the enteric nervous system.

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