A reversible decrease in electrical coupling of cultured mouse glial cells induced by superfusion from a micropipette.
Cultured mouse oligodendrocytes were superfused by pressure application to the rear-end of a 3-20 microns micropipette filled with normal bathing fluid. Input resistance was determined during superfusion with two separate electrodes. The input resistance increased reversibly by 90% in 26 cells tested and was unaffected in 39 cells. When pairs of oligodendrocytes were electrically coupled, coupling decreased in a reversible manner during superfusion. Therefore, the flow from a micropipette can uncouple cells, and studies involving application of substances by pressure ejection from microelectrodes must be evaluated with care.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000187:drug effects*; D009480:Neuropharmacology / Q000379:methods*; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000187:drug effects*