title: Dendritic peptide release mediates interpopulation crosstalk between neurosecretory and preautonomic networks.
abstract: Although communication between neurons is considered a function of the synapse, neurons also release neurotransmitter from their dendrites. We found that dendritic transmitter release coordinates activity across distinct neuronal populations to generate integrative homeostatic responses. We show that activity-dependent vasopressin release from hypothalamic neuroendocrine neurons in the paraventricular nucleus stimulates neighboring (~100 μm soma-to-soma) presympathetic neurons, resulting in a sympathoexcitatory population response. This interpopulation crosstalk was engaged by an NMDA-mediated increase in dendritic Ca(2+), influenced by vasopressin's ability to diffuse in the extracellular space, and involved activation of CAN channels at the target neurons. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this interpopulation crosstalk plays a pivotal role in the generation of a systemic, polymodal neurohumoral response to a hyperosmotic challenge. Because dendritic release is emerging as a widespread process, our results suggest that a similar mechanism could mediate interpopulation crosstalk in other brain systems, particularly those involved in generating complex behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Sook Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Filosa
authors.forename: Evgeniy S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Potapenko
authors.forename: Vinicia C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Biancardi
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Kaushik P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Vicky A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.forename: Javier E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Stern
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003712:Dendrites / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D009489:Neurosecretion / Q000502:physiology*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D051381:Rats; D055647:Rats, Transgenic; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides