title: Synaptic signaling between GABAergic interneurons and oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the hippocampus.
abstract: Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) express receptors for many neurotransmitters, but the mechanisms responsible for their activation are poorly understood. We have found that quantal release of GABA from interneurons elicits GABA(A) receptor currents with rapid rise times in hippocampal OPCs. These currents did not exhibit properties of spillover transmission or release by transporters, and immunofluorescence and electron microscopy suggest that interneuronal terminals are in direct contact with OPCs, indicating that these GABA currents are generated at direct interneuron-OPC synapses. The reversal potential of OPC GABA(A) currents was -43 mV, and interneuronal firing was correlated with transient depolarizations induced by GABA(A) receptors; however, GABA application induced a transient inhibition of currents mediated by AMPA receptors in OPCs. These results indicate that OPCs are a direct target of interneuronal collaterals and that the GABA-induced Cl(-) flux generated by these events may influence oligodendrocyte development by regulating the efficacy of glutamatergic signaling in OPCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe Street, WBSB 813, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Shih-chun
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Dwight E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bergles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058785:GABA-A Receptor Agonists; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007395:Interneurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D058785:GABA-A Receptor Agonists; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid