title: Astroglial connexin 43 sustains glutamatergic synaptic efficacy.
abstract: Astrocytes dynamic interactions with neurons play an active role in neurotransmission. The gap junction (GJ) subunits connexins 43 and 30 are strongly expressed in astrocytes and have recently been shown to regulate synaptic activity and plasticity. However, the specific role of connexin 43 in the morphological and electrophysiological properties of astrocytes in situ as well as in synaptic transmission remains unknown. Here, we show that connexin 43, a major determinant of astroglial GJ coupling, regulates astrocyte cell volume, but has no impact on astroglial passive membrane properties. Furthermore, we demonstrate that connexin 43 modulates glutamatergic synaptic activity of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells. This regulation involves changes in synaptically released glutamate, with no alteration in neuronal excitability or postsynaptic function. These results reveal connexin 43 as a critical player in neuroglial interactions by supporting synaptic efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiopathology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 7241, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Oana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Chever
authors.affiliation: Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiopathology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 7241, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pannasch
authors.affiliation: Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiopathology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 7241, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ezan
authors.affiliation: Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiopathology, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 7241, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France nathalie.rouach@college-de-france.fr.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rouach
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; D018698:Glutamic Acid
keywords: astrocytes; connexin; hippocampus; synapses