Intracellular calcium oscillations in astrocytes: a highly plastic, bidirectional form of communication between neurons and astrocytes in situ.
J Neurosci
; 17(20): 7817-30, 1997 Oct 15.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9315902
The spatial-temporal characteristics of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) changes elicited in neurons and astrocytes by various types of stimuli were investigated by means of confocal fluorescent microscopy in acute rat brain slices loaded with the Ca2+ indicator indo-1. Neurons and astrocytes from the visual cortex and CA1 hippocampal region were identified in situ on the basis of their morphological, electrophysiological, and pharmacological features. We show here that stimulation of neuronal afferents triggered periodic [Ca2+]i oscillations in astrocytes. The frequency of these oscillations was under a dynamic control by neuronal activity as it changed according to the pattern of stimulation. After repetitive episodes of neuronal stimulation as well as repetitive stimulation with a metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, astrocytes displayed a long-lasting increase in [Ca2+]i oscillation frequency. Oscillating astrocytes were accompanied by repetitive [Ca2+]i elevations in adjacent neurons, most likely because of the release of glutamate via a tetanus toxin-resistant process. These results reveal that [Ca2+]i oscillations in astrocytes represent a highly plastic signaling system that underlies the reciprocal communication between neurons and astrocytes.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Comunicación Celular
/
Astrocitos
/
Calcio
/
Membranas Intracelulares
/
Plasticidad Neuronal
/
Neuronas
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Neurosci
Año:
1997
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos