An astrocyte-dependent mechanism for neuronal rhythmogenesis.
Communication between neurons rests on their capacity to change their firing pattern to encode different messages. For several vital functions, such as respiration and mastication, neurons need to generate a rhythmic firing pattern. Here we show in the rat trigeminal sensori-motor circuit for mastication that this ability depends on regulation of the extracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]e) by astrocytes. In this circuit, astrocytes respond to sensory stimuli that induce neuronal rhythmic activity, and their blockade with a Ca(2+) chelator prevents neurons from generating a rhythmic bursting pattern. This ability is restored by adding S100β, an astrocytic Ca(2+)-binding protein, to the extracellular space, while application of an anti-S100β antibody prevents generation of rhythmic activity. These results indicate that astrocytes regulate a fundamental neuronal property: the capacity to change firing pattern. These findings may have broad implications for many other neural networks whose functions depend on the generation of rhythmic activity.
Département de Neurosciences and Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Philippe
P
Morquette
Département de Neurosciences and Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Dorly
D
Verdier
Département de Neurosciences and Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Aklesso
A
Kadala
Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
James
J
Féthière
1] Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France. [2] Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR866 Dynamique Musculaire Et Métabolisme, Montpellier, France.
Antony G
AG
Philippe
Département de Neurosciences and Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Richard
R
Robitaille
1] Département de Neurosciences and Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. [2] Faculté de Médecine Dentaire and Réseau de Recherche en Santé Bucco-dentaire et Osseuse du Fonds de Recherche Québec-Santé, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Arlette
0000000233593645
A
Kolta
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000494:pharmacology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010507:Periodicity; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D002614:Chelating Agents; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; C579158:S100b protein, rat; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D002118:Calcium