Spreading Depression Promotes Astrocytic Calcium Oscillations and Enhances Gliotransmission to Hippocampal Neurons

Cereb Cortex. 2018 Sep 1;28(9):3204-3216. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhx192.

Abstract

Spreading depression (SD) is a pathophysiological phenomenon characterized by propagating waves of profound neuronal and glial depolarization in central nervous system gray matter. Although SD is primarily mediated by neurons with a subsequent astrocytic response, it remains unclear how astrocytic activity is modulated after SD and how altered astrocyte signaling contribute to neuronal excitability. Here, we report that after the concurrent Ca2+ wave, SD enhanced astrocytic activity by promoting a secondary period of Ca2+ oscillations. SD-induced Ca2+ oscillations did not require the activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors or purinergic receptors; instead, they were mediated by the activation of GABAB receptors and 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors. Furthermore, SD increased the number of NMDA receptor-mediated slow inward currents (SICs) in CA1 pyramidal neurons. The frequency of SD-induced SICs was reduced by blockade of GABAB receptors or by limiting Ca2+ efflux from the ER. Selective inhibition of astrocytic Ca2+ signals by dialysis of BAPTA into astrocytes or by knocking out the astrocytic type of IP3 receptors suppressed SICs after SD. These results demonstrated a causative link between the SD-induced Ca2+ oscillations and the enhanced glutamatergic astrocyte-neuron signaling. Therefore, we conclude that SD enhances the astrocyte Ca2+ signals and further promotes gliotransmission and neuronal excitability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / physiology*
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology*
  • Cortical Spreading Depression / physiology*
  • Female
  • Hippocampus / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*