Molecular approaches for manipulating astrocytic signaling in vivo.
Astrocytes are the predominant glial type in the central nervous system and play important roles in assisting neuronal function and network activity. Astrocytes exhibit complex signaling systems that are essential for their normal function and the homeostasis of the neural network. Altered signaling in astrocytes is closely associated with neurological and psychiatric diseases, suggesting tremendous therapeutic potential of these cells. To further understand astrocyte function in health and disease, it is important to study astrocytic signaling in vivo. In this review, we discuss molecular tools that enable the selective manipulation of astrocytic signaling, including the tools to selectively activate and inactivate astrocyte signaling in vivo. Lastly, we highlight a few tools in development that present strong potential for advancing our understanding of the role of astrocytes in physiology, behavior, and pathology.
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Alison X
AX
Xie
Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA, USA.
Jeremy
J
Petravicz
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Ken D
KD
McCarthy
DREADD; GPCR signaling; IP3R2 KO; astrocyte; in vivo