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Dogra S, Aguayo C, Xiang Z, Putnam J, Smith J, Johnston C, Foster DJ, Lindsley CW, Niswender CM, Conn PJ. Activation of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 3 Modulates Thalamo-accumbal Transmission and Rescues Schizophrenia-Like Physiological and Behavioral Deficits. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 96:230-242. [PMID: 38061467 PMCID: PMC11150332 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polymorphisms in the gene encoding for metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGlu3) are associated with an increased likelihood of schizophrenia diagnosis and can predict improvements in negative symptoms following treatment with antipsychotics. However, the mechanisms by which mGlu3 can regulate brain circuits involved in schizophrenia pathophysiology are not clear. METHODS We employed selective pharmacological tools and a variety of approaches including whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, slice optogenetics, and fiber photometry to investigate the effects of mGlu3 activation on phencyclidine (PCP)-induced impairments in thalamo-accumbal transmission and sociability deficits. A chemogenetic approach was used to evaluate the role of thalamo-accumbal transmission in PCP-induced sociability deficits. RESULTS We first established that PCP treatment augmented excitatory transmission onto dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and induced sociability deficits. Our studies revealed a selective increase in glutamatergic synaptic transmission from thalamic afferents to D1-MSNs in the NAc shell. Chemogenetic silencing of thalamo-accumbal inputs rescued PCP-induced sociability deficits. Pharmacological activation of mGlu3 normalized PCP-induced impairments in thalamo-accumbal transmission and sociability deficits. Mechanistic studies revealed that mGlu3 activation induced robust long-term depression at synapses from the thalamic projections onto D1-MSNs in the NAc shell. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that activation of mGlu3 decreases thalamo-accumbal transmission and thereby rescues sociability deficits in mouse modeling schizophrenia-like symptoms. These findings provide novel insights into the NAc-specific mechanisms and suggest that agents modulating glutamatergic signaling in the NAc may provide a promising approach for treating negative symptoms in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Dogra
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.
| | - Caleb Aguayo
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Zixiu Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jason Putnam
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Joshua Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Curran Johnston
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Daniel J Foster
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.
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Caya-Bissonnette L, Béïque JC. Half a century legacy of long-term potentiation. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R640-R662. [PMID: 38981433 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
In 1973, two papers from Bliss and Lømo and from Bliss and Gardner-Medwin reported that high-frequency synaptic stimulation in the dentate gyrus of rabbits resulted in a long-lasting increase in synaptic strength. This form of synaptic plasticity, commonly referred to as long-term potentiation (LTP), was immediately considered as an attractive mechanism accounting for the ability of the brain to store information. In this historical piece looking back over the past 50 years, we discuss how these two landmark contributions directly motivated a colossal research effort and detail some of the resulting milestones that have shaped our evolving understanding of the molecular and cellular underpinnings of LTP. We highlight the main features of LTP, cover key experiments that defined its induction and expression mechanisms, and outline the evidence supporting a potential role of LTP in learning and memory. We also briefly explore some ramifications of LTP on network stability, consider current limitations of LTP as a model of associative memory, and entertain future research orientations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Caya-Bissonnette
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Ottawa, 451 ch. Smyth Road (3501N), Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; Brain and Mind Research Institute's Centre for Neural Dynamics and Artificial Intelligence, 451 ch. Smyth Road (3501N), Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 ch. Smyth Road (3501N), Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Jean-Claude Béïque
- Brain and Mind Research Institute's Centre for Neural Dynamics and Artificial Intelligence, 451 ch. Smyth Road (3501N), Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 ch. Smyth Road (3501N), Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
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Barti B, Dudok B, Kenesei K, Zöldi M, Miczán V, Balla GY, Zala D, Tasso M, Sagheddu C, Kisfali M, Tóth B, Ledri M, Vizi ES, Melis M, Barna L, Lenkei Z, Soltész I, Katona I. Presynaptic nanoscale components of retrograde synaptic signaling. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado0077. [PMID: 38809980 PMCID: PMC11135421 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
While our understanding of the nanoscale architecture of anterograde synaptic transmission is rapidly expanding, the qualitative and quantitative molecular principles underlying distinct mechanisms of retrograde synaptic communication remain elusive. We show that a particular form of tonic cannabinoid signaling is essential for setting target cell-dependent synaptic variability. It does not require the activity of the two major endocannabinoid-producing enzymes. Instead, by developing a workflow for physiological, anatomical, and molecular measurements at the same unitary synapse, we demonstrate that the nanoscale stoichiometric ratio of type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs) to the release machinery is sufficient to predict synapse-specific release probability. Accordingly, selective decrease of extrasynaptic CB1Rs does not affect synaptic transmission, whereas in vivo exposure to the phytocannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol disrupts the intrasynaptic nanoscale stoichiometry and reduces synaptic variability. These findings imply that synapses leverage the nanoscale stoichiometry of presynaptic receptor coupling to the release machinery to establish synaptic strength in a target cell-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjámin Barti
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 702 N Walnut Grove Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405-2204, USA
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Group, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony st 43, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
- School of Ph.D. Studies, Semmelweis University, Üllői st 26, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Barna Dudok
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Group, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony st 43, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plz, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, 450 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kata Kenesei
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Group, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony st 43, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miklós Zöldi
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 702 N Walnut Grove Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405-2204, USA
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Group, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony st 43, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
- School of Ph.D. Studies, Semmelweis University, Üllői st 26, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vivien Miczán
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Group, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony st 43, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, HUN-REN Biological Research Center, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gyula Y. Balla
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Group, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony st 43, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
- School of Ph.D. Studies, Semmelweis University, Üllői st 26, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary
- Translational Behavioral Neuroscience Research Group, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony st 43, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Diana Zala
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurosciences of Paris, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Mariana Tasso
- Institute of Nanosystems, School of Bio and Nanotechnologies, National University of San Martín - CONICET, 25 de Mayo Ave., 1021 San Martín, Argentina
| | - Claudia Sagheddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Máté Kisfali
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Group, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony st 43, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
- BiTrial Ltd., Tállya st 23, H-1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Blanka Tóth
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Szt. Gellért square 4, H-1111 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Üllői st 26, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marco Ledri
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Group, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony st 43, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Sölvegatan 17, BMC A11, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - E. Sylvester Vizi
- Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony st 43, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miriam Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - László Barna
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 702 N Walnut Grove Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405-2204, USA
| | - Zsolt Lenkei
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurosciences of Paris, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Iván Soltész
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, 450 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - István Katona
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 702 N Walnut Grove Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405-2204, USA
- Molecular Neurobiology Research Group, HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, Szigony st 43, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
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McFarlan AR, Guo C, Gomez I, Weinerman C, Liang TA, Sjöström PJ. The spike-timing-dependent plasticity of VIP interneurons in motor cortex. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1389094. [PMID: 38706517 PMCID: PMC11066220 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1389094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The plasticity of inhibitory interneurons (INs) plays an important role in the organization and maintenance of cortical microcircuits. Given the many different IN types, there is an even greater diversity in synapse-type-specific plasticity learning rules at excitatory to excitatory (E→I), I→E, and I→I synapses. I→I synapses play a key disinhibitory role in cortical circuits. Because they typically target other INs, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) INs are often featured in I→I→E disinhibition, which upregulates activity in nearby excitatory neurons. VIP IN dysregulation may thus lead to neuropathologies such as epilepsy. In spite of the important activity regulatory role of VIP INs, their long-term plasticity has not been described. Therefore, we characterized the phenomenology of spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) at inputs and outputs of genetically defined VIP INs. Using a combination of whole-cell recording, 2-photon microscopy, and optogenetics, we explored I→I STDP at layer 2/3 (L2/3) VIP IN outputs onto L5 Martinotti cells (MCs) and basket cells (BCs). We found that VIP IN→MC synapses underwent causal long-term depression (LTD) that was presynaptically expressed. VIP IN→BC connections, however, did not undergo any detectable plasticity. Conversely, using extracellular stimulation, we explored E→I STDP at inputs to VIP INs which revealed long-term potentiation (LTP) for both causal and acausal timings. Taken together, our results demonstrate that VIP INs possess synapse-type-specific learning rules at their inputs and outputs. This suggests the possibility of harnessing VIP IN long-term plasticity to control activity-related neuropathologies such as epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R. McFarlan
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, BRaIN Program, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Connie Guo
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, BRaIN Program, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Isabella Gomez
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, BRaIN Program, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Chaim Weinerman
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, BRaIN Program, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tasha A. Liang
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, BRaIN Program, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - P. Jesper Sjöström
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, BRaIN Program, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
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5
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Boudkkazi S, Debanne D. Enhanced Release Probability without Changes in Synaptic Delay during Analogue-Digital Facilitation. Cells 2024; 13:573. [PMID: 38607012 PMCID: PMC11011503 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuronal timing with millisecond precision is critical for many brain functions such as sensory perception, learning and memory formation. At the level of the chemical synapse, the synaptic delay is determined by the presynaptic release probability (Pr) and the waveform of the presynaptic action potential (AP). For instance, paired-pulse facilitation or presynaptic long-term potentiation are associated with reductions in the synaptic delay, whereas paired-pulse depression or presynaptic long-term depression are associated with an increased synaptic delay. Parallelly, the AP broadening that results from the inactivation of voltage gated potassium (Kv) channels responsible for the repolarization phase of the AP delays the synaptic response, and the inactivation of sodium (Nav) channels by voltage reduces the synaptic latency. However, whether synaptic delay is modulated during depolarization-induced analogue-digital facilitation (d-ADF), a form of context-dependent synaptic facilitation induced by prolonged depolarization of the presynaptic neuron and mediated by the voltage-inactivation of presynaptic Kv1 channels, remains unclear. We show here that despite Pr being elevated during d-ADF at pyramidal L5-L5 cell synapses, the synaptic delay is surprisingly unchanged. This finding suggests that both Pr- and AP-dependent changes in synaptic delay compensate for each other during d-ADF. We conclude that, in contrast to other short- or long-term modulations of presynaptic release, synaptic timing is not affected during d-ADF because of the opposite interaction of Pr- and AP-dependent modulations of synaptic delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Boudkkazi
- Physiology Institute, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Unité de Neurobiologie des Canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse (UNIS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Aix-Marseille University, 13015 Marseille, France
| | - Dominique Debanne
- Unité de Neurobiologie des Canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse (UNIS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Aix-Marseille University, 13015 Marseille, France
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6
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Khodaie B, Edelmann E, Leßmann V. Distinct GABAergic modulation of timing-dependent LTP in CA1 pyramidal neurons along the longitudinal axis of the mouse hippocampus. iScience 2024; 27:109320. [PMID: 38487018 PMCID: PMC10937841 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus underlies episodic memory formation, with dorsal hippocampus being instrumental for spatial memory whereas ventral hippocampus is crucial for emotional learning. Here, we studied how GABAergic inhibition regulates physiologically relevant low repeat spike timing-dependent LTP (t-LTP) at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses along the dorsoventral hippocampal axis. We used two t-LTP protocols relying on only 6 repeats of paired spike-firing in pre- and postsynaptic cells within 10 s that differ in postsynaptic firing patterns. GABAA receptor mechanisms played a greater role in blocking 6× 1:1 t-LTP that recruits single postsynaptic action potentials. 6× 1:4 t-LTP that depends on postsynaptic burst-firing unexpectedly required intact GABAB receptor signaling. The magnitude of both t-LTP-forms decreased along the dorsoventral axis, despite increasing excitability and basal synaptic strength in this direction. This suggests that GABAergic inhibition contributes to the distinct roles of dorsal and ventral hippocampus in memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Khodaie
- Institut für Physiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität (OVGU), Medizinische Fakultät, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- OVGU International ESF-funded Graduate School ABINEP, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Elke Edelmann
- Institut für Physiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität (OVGU), Medizinische Fakultät, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany
- OVGU International ESF-funded Graduate School ABINEP, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Volkmar Leßmann
- Institut für Physiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität (OVGU), Medizinische Fakultät, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany
- OVGU International ESF-funded Graduate School ABINEP, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany
- DZPG (German Center of Mental Health), partner site Halle/Jena/Magdeburg (CIRC), Magdeburg, Germany
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7
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Yamaguchi J, Andrade MA, Truong TT, Toney GM. Glutamate Spillover Dynamically Strengthens Gabaergic Synaptic Inhibition of the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1851222023. [PMID: 38154957 PMCID: PMC10869154 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1851-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is strongly inhibited by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from the surrounding peri-nuclear zone (PNZ). Because glutamate mediates fast excitatory transmission and is substrate for GABA synthesis, we tested its capacity to dynamically strengthen GABA inhibition. In PVN slices from male mice, bath glutamate applied during ionotropic glutamate receptor blockade increased PNZ-evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) without affecting GABA-A receptor agonist currents or single-channel conductance, implicating a presynaptic mechanism(s). Consistent with this interpretation, bath glutamate failed to strengthen IPSCs during pharmacological saturation of GABA-A receptors. Presynaptic analyses revealed that glutamate did not affect paired-pulse ratio, peak eIPSC variability, GABA vesicle recycling speed, or readily releasable pool (RRP) size. Notably, glutamate-GABA strengthening (GGS) was unaffected by metabotropic glutamate receptor blockade and graded external Ca2+ when normalized to baseline amplitude. GGS was prevented by pan- but not glial-specific inhibition of glutamate uptake and by inhibition of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), indicating reliance on glutamate uptake by neuronal excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3) and enzymatic conversion of glutamate to GABA. EAAT3 immunoreactivity was strongly localized to presumptive PVN GABA terminals. High bath K+ also induced GGS, which was prevented by glutamate vesicle depletion, indicating that synaptic glutamate release strengthens PVN GABA inhibition. GGS suppressed PVN cell firing, indicating its functional significance. In sum, PVN GGS buffers neuronal excitation by apparent "over-filling" of vesicles with GABA synthesized from synaptically released glutamate. We posit that GGS protects against sustained PVN excitation and excitotoxicity while potentially aiding stress adaptation and habituation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Yamaguchi
- Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio 78229-3900, Texas
| | - Mary Ann Andrade
- Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio 78229-3900, Texas
| | - Tamara T Truong
- Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio 78229-3900, Texas
| | - Glenn M Toney
- Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio 78229-3900, Texas
- Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio 78229-3900, Texas
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8
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Wong HHW, Watt AJ, Sjöström PJ. Synapse-specific burst coding sustained by local axonal translation. Neuron 2024; 112:264-276.e6. [PMID: 37944518 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Neurotransmission in the brain is unreliable, suggesting that high-frequency spike bursts rather than individual spikes carry the neural code. For instance, cortical pyramidal neurons rely on bursts in memory formation. Protein synthesis is another key factor in long-term synaptic plasticity and learning but is widely considered unnecessary for synaptic transmission. Here, however, we show that burst neurotransmission at synapses between neocortical layer 5 pyramidal cells depends on axonal protein synthesis linked to presynaptic NMDA receptors and mTOR. We localized protein synthesis to axons with laser axotomy and puromycylation live imaging. We whole-cell recorded connected neurons to reveal how translation sustained readily releasable vesicle pool size and replenishment rate. We live imaged axons and found sparsely docked RNA granules, suggesting synapse-specific regulation. In agreement, translation boosted neurotransmission onto excitatory but not inhibitory basket or Martinotti cells. Local axonal mRNA translation is thus a hitherto unappreciated principle for sustaining burst coding at specific synapse types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hovy Ho-Wai Wong
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Department of Medicine, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada.
| | - Alanna J Watt
- Biology Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 0B1, Canada
| | - P Jesper Sjöström
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Department of Medicine, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada.
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9
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Swanson OK, Yevoo PE, Richard D, Maffei A. Altered Thalamocortical Signaling in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6021-6034. [PMID: 37527923 PMCID: PMC10451150 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2871-20.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of the primary motor cortex (M1) is important for the execution of skilled movements and motor learning, and its dysfunction contributes to the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). A well-accepted idea in PD research, albeit not tested experimentally, is that the loss of midbrain dopamine leads to decreased activation of M1 by the motor thalamus. Here, we report that midbrain dopamine loss altered motor thalamus input in a laminar- and cell type-specific fashion and induced laminar-specific changes in intracortical synaptic transmission. Frequency-dependent changes in synaptic dynamics were also observed. Our results demonstrate that loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons alters thalamocortical activation of M1 in both male and female mice, and provide novel insights into circuit mechanisms for motor cortex dysfunction in a mouse model of PD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Loss of midbrain dopamine neurons increases inhibition from the basal ganglia to the motor thalamus, suggesting that it may ultimately lead to reduced activation of primary motor cortex (M1). In contrast with this line of thinking, analysis of M1 activity in patients and animal models of Parkinson's disease report hyperactivation of this region. Our results are the first report that midbrain dopamine loss alters the input-output function of M1 through laminar and cell type specific effects. These findings support and expand on the idea that loss of midbrain dopamine reduces motor cortex activation and provide experimental evidence that reconciles reduced thalamocortical input with reports of altered activation of motor cortex in patients with Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia K Swanson
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
| | - Priscilla E Yevoo
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
| | - Dave Richard
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
| | - Arianna Maffei
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
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10
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Lumeij LB, van Huijstee AN, Cappaert NLM, Kessels HW. Variance analysis as a method to predict the locus of plasticity at populations of non-uniform synapses. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1232541. [PMID: 37528963 PMCID: PMC10388551 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1232541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Our knowledge on synaptic transmission in the central nervous system has often been obtained by evoking synaptic responses to populations of synapses. Analysis of the variance in synaptic responses can be applied as a method to predict whether a change in synaptic responses is a consequence of altered presynaptic neurotransmitter release or postsynaptic receptors. However, variance analysis is based on binomial statistics, which assumes that synapses are uniform. In reality, synapses are far from uniform, which questions the reliability of variance analysis when applying this method to populations of synapses. To address this, we used an in silico model for evoked synaptic responses and compared variance analysis outcomes between populations of uniform versus non-uniform synapses. This simulation revealed that variance analysis produces similar results irrespectively of the grade of uniformity of synapses. We put this variance analysis to the test with an electrophysiology experiment using a model system for which the loci of plasticity are well established: the effect of amyloid-β on synapses. Variance analysis correctly predicted that postsynaptically produced amyloid-β triggered predominantly a loss of synapses and a minor reduction of postsynaptic currents in remaining synapses with little effect on presynaptic release probability. We propose that variance analysis can be reliably used to predict the locus of synaptic changes for populations of non-uniform synapses.
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11
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Parker D. The functional properties of synapses made by regenerated axons across spinal cord lesion sites in lamprey. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:2272-2277. [PMID: 35259849 PMCID: PMC9083143 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.335828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
While the anatomical properties of regenerated axons across spinal cord lesion sites have been studied extensively, little is known of how the functional properties of regenerated synapses compared to those in unlesioned animals. This study aims to compare the properties of synapses made by regenerated axons with unlesioned axons using the lamprey, a model system for spinal injury research, in which functional locomotor recovery after spinal cord lesions is associated with axonal regeneration across the lesion site. Regenerated synapses below the lesion site did not differ from synapses from unlesioned axons with respect to the amplitude and duration of single excitatory postsynaptic potentials. They also showed the same activity-dependent depression over spike trains. However, regenerated synapses did differ from unlesioned synapses as the estimated number of synaptic vesicles was greater and there was evidence for increased postsynaptic quantal amplitude. For axons above the lesion site, the amplitude and duration of single synaptic inputs also did not differ significantly from unlesioned animals. However, in this case, there was evidence of a reduction in release probability and inputs facilitated rather than depressed over spike trains. Synaptic inputs from single regenerated axons below the lesion site thus do not increase in amplitude to compensate for the reduced number of descending axons after functional recovery. However, the postsynaptic input was maintained at the unlesioned level using different synaptic properties. Conversely, the facilitation from the same initial amplitude above the lesion site made the synaptic input over spike trains functionally stronger. This may help to increase propriospinal activity across the lesion site to compensate for the lesion-induced reduction in supraspinal inputs. The animal experiments were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Cambridge University.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Parker
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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12
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Linders LE, Supiot LF, Du W, D’Angelo R, Adan RAH, Riga D, Meye FJ. Studying Synaptic Connectivity and Strength with Optogenetics and Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911612. [PMID: 36232917 PMCID: PMC9570045 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last two decades the combination of brain slice patch clamp electrophysiology with optogenetic stimulation has proven to be a powerful approach to analyze the architecture of neural circuits and (experience-dependent) synaptic plasticity in such networks. Using this combination of methods, originally termed channelrhodopsin-assisted circuit mapping (CRACM), a multitude of measures of synaptic functioning can be taken. The current review discusses their rationale, current applications in the field, and their associated caveats. Specifically, the review addresses: (1) How to assess the presence of synaptic connections, both in terms of ionotropic versus metabotropic receptor signaling, and in terms of mono- versus polysynaptic connectivity. (2) How to acquire and interpret measures for synaptic strength and function, like AMPAR/NMDAR, AMPAR rectification, paired-pulse ratio (PPR), coefficient of variance and input-specific quantal sizes. We also address how synaptic modulation by G protein-coupled receptors can be studied with pharmacological approaches and advanced technology. (3) Finally, we elaborate on advances on the use of dual color optogenetics in concurrent investigation of multiple synaptic pathways. Overall, with this review we seek to provide practical insights into the methods used to study neural circuits and synapses, by combining optogenetics and patch-clamp electrophysiology.
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13
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Armenta-Resendiz M, Assali A, Tsvetkov E, Cowan CW, Lavin A. Repeated methamphetamine administration produces cognitive deficits through augmentation of GABAergic synaptic transmission in the prefrontal cortex. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1816-1825. [PMID: 35788684 PMCID: PMC9372065 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01371-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is associated with the emergence of cognitive deficits and hypofrontality, a pathophysiological marker of many neuropsychiatric disorders that is produced by altered balance of local excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission. However, there is a dearth of information regarding the cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying METH-induced cognitive deficits and associated hypofrontal states. Using PV-Cre transgenic rats that went through a METH sensitization regime or saline (SAL) followed by 7-10 days of home cage abstinence combined with cognitive tests, chemogenetic experiments, and whole-cell patch recordings on the prelimbic prefrontal cortex (PFC), we investigated the cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying METH-induce hypofrontality. We report here that repeated METH administration in rats produces deficits in working memory and increases in inhibitory synaptic transmission onto pyramidal neurons in the PFC. The increased PFC inhibition is detected by an increase in spontaneous and evoked inhibitory postsynaptic synaptic currents (IPSCs), an increase in GABAergic presynaptic function, and a shift in the excitatory-inhibitory balance onto PFC deep-layer pyramidal neurons. We find that pharmacological blockade of D1 dopamine receptor function reduces the METH-induced augmentation of IPSCs, suggesting a critical role for D1 dopamine signaling in METH-induced hypofrontality. In addition, repeated METH administration increases the intrinsic excitability of parvalbumin-positive fast spiking interneurons (PV + FSIs), a key local interneuron population in PFC that contributes to the control of inhibitory tone. Using a cell type-specific chemogenetic approach, we show that increasing PV + FSIs activity in the PFC is necessary and sufficient to cause deficits in temporal order memory similar to those induced by METH. Conversely, reducing PV + FSIs activity in the PFC of METH-exposed rats rescues METH-induced temporal order memory deficits. Together, our findings reveal that repeated METH exposure increases PFC inhibitory tone through a D1 dopamine signaling-dependent potentiation of inhibitory synaptic transmission, and that reduction of PV + FSIs activity can rescue METH-induced cognitive deficits, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach to treating cognitive symptoms in patients suffering from METH use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ahlem Assali
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Evgeny Tsvetkov
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Christopher W Cowan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Antonieta Lavin
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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14
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Martínez-Gallego I, Pérez-Rodríguez M, Coatl-Cuaya H, Flores G, Rodríguez-Moreno A. Adenosine and Astrocytes Determine the Developmental Dynamics of Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity in the Somatosensory Cortex. J Neurosci 2022; 42:6038-6052. [PMID: 35768208 PMCID: PMC9351642 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0115-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
During development, critical periods of synaptic plasticity facilitate the reordering and refinement of neural connections, allowing the definitive synaptic circuits responsible for correct adult physiology to be established. The L4-L2/3 synapses in the somatosensory cortex (S1) exhibit a presynaptic form of spike timing-dependent long-term depression (t-LTD) that probably fulfills a role in synaptic refinement. This t-LTD persists until the fourth postnatal week in mice, disappearing thereafter. When we investigated the mechanisms underlying this maturation-related loss of t-LTD in either sex mouse slices, we found that it could be completely recovered by antagonizing adenosine type 1 receptors. By contrast, an agonist of A1R impeded the induction of t-LTD at P13-27. Furthermore, we found that the adenosine that mediated the loss of t-LTD at the end of the fourth week of development is most probably supplied by astrocytes. At more mature stages (P38-60), we found that the protocol used to induce t-LTD provokes t-LTP. We characterized the mechanisms underlying the induction of this form of LTP, and we found it to be expressed presynaptically, as witnessed by paired-pulse and coefficient of variation analysis. In addition, this form of presynaptic t-LTP requires the activation of NMDARs and mGlu1Rs, and the entry of Ca2+ into the postsynaptic neuron through L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Nitric oxide is also required for t-LTP as a messenger in the postsynaptic neuron as are the adenosine and glutamate that are released in association with astrocyte signaling. These results provide direct evidence of the mechanisms that close the window of plasticity associated with t-LTD and that drive the switch in synaptic transmission from t-LTD to t-LTP at L4-L2/3 synapses, in which astrocytes play a central role.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT During development, critical periods of plasticity facilitate the reordering and refining of neural connections, allowing correct adult physiology to be established. The L4-L2/3 synapses in the somatosensory cortex exhibit a presynaptic form plasticity (LTD) that probably fulfills a role in synaptic refinement. It is present until the fourth postnatal week in mice, disappearing thereafter. The mechanisms that are responsible for this loss of plasticity are not clear. We describe here these mechanisms and those involved in the switch from LTD to LTP observed as the brain matures. Defining these events responsible for closing (and opening) plasticity windows may be important for brain repair, sensorial recovery, the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, and for educational policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Martínez-Gallego
- Laboratory of Cellular Neuroscience and Plasticity, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, ES-41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Mikel Pérez-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Cellular Neuroscience and Plasticity, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, ES-41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Heriberto Coatl-Cuaya
- Laboratory of Cellular Neuroscience and Plasticity, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, ES-41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Flores
- Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla CP 72570, México
| | - Antonio Rodríguez-Moreno
- Laboratory of Cellular Neuroscience and Plasticity, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, ES-41013 Seville, Spain
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15
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Wiera G, Brzdąk P, Lech AM, Lebida K, Jabłońska J, Gmerek P, Mozrzymas JW. Integrins Bidirectionally Regulate the Efficacy of Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission and Control GABAergic Plasticity. J Neurosci 2022; 42:5830-5842. [PMID: 35701161 PMCID: PMC9337602 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1458-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
For many decades, synaptic plasticity was believed to be restricted to excitatory transmission. However, in recent years, this view started to change, and now it is recognized that GABAergic synapses show distinct forms of activity-dependent long-term plasticity, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Herein, we asked whether signaling mediated by β1 or β3 subunit-containing integrins might be involved in regulating the efficacy of GABAergic synapses, including the NMDA receptor-dependent inhibitory long-term potentiation (iLTP) in the hippocampus. We found that activation of β3 integrin with fibrinogen induced a stable depression, whereas inhibition of β1 integrin potentiated GABAergic synapses at CA1 pyramidal neurons in male mice. Additionally, compounds that interfere with the interaction of β1 or β3 integrins with extracellular matrix blocked the induction of NMDA-iLTP. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence that integrins are key players in regulating the endogenous modulatory mechanisms of GABAergic inhibition and plasticity in the hippocampus.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Epilepsy, schizophrenia, and anxiety are just a few medical conditions associated with dysfunctional inhibitory synaptic transmission. GABAergic synapses are known for their extraordinary susceptibility to modulation by endogenous factors and exogenous pharmacological agents. We describe here that integrins, adhesion proteins, play a key role in the modulation of inhibitory synaptic transmission. Specifically, we show that interference with integrin-dependent adhesion results in a variety of effects on the amplitude and frequency of GABAergic mIPSCs. Activation of β3 subunit-containing integrins induces inhibitory long-term depression, whereas the inhibition of β1 subunit-containing integrins induces iLTP. Our results unveil an important mechanism controlling synaptic inhibition, which opens new avenues into the usage of integrin-aimed pharmaceuticals as modulators of GABAergic synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Wiera
- Department of Biophysics and Neuroscience, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Patrycja Brzdąk
- Department of Biophysics and Neuroscience, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Maria Lech
- Department of Biophysics and Neuroscience, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Wroclaw, 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Lebida
- Department of Biophysics and Neuroscience, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jadwiga Jabłońska
- Department of Biophysics and Neuroscience, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Przemysław Gmerek
- Department of Biophysics and Neuroscience, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Wroclaw, 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy W Mozrzymas
- Department of Biophysics and Neuroscience, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
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16
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Inbar K, Levi LA, Kupchik YM. Cocaine induces input and cell-type-specific synaptic plasticity in ventral pallidum-projecting nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1461-1472. [PMID: 35121830 PMCID: PMC9205871 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01285-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine use and abstinence induce long-term synaptic alterations in the excitatory input to nucleus accumbens (NAc) medium spiny neurons (MSNs). The NAc regulates reward-related behaviors through two parallel projections to the ventral pallidum (VP)-originating in D1 or D2-expressing MSNs (D1-MSNs→VP; D2-MSNs→VP). The activity of these projections depends on their excitatory synaptic inputs, but it is not known whether and how abstinence from cocaine affects the excitatory transmission to D1-MSNs→VP and D2-MSNs→VP. Here we examined different forms of cocaine-induced synaptic plasticity in the inputs from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to NAc D1-MSNs→VP and putative D2-MSNs→VP (pD2-MSNs→VP) in the core and shell subcompartments of the NAc. We used the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to record excitatory postsynaptic currents from D1-tdTomato mice injected with ChR2 in either the BLA or the mPFC and retrograde tracer (RetroBeads) in the VP. We found that cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) followed by abstinence potentiated the excitatory input from the BLA and mPFC to both D1-MSNs→VP and pD2-MSNs→VP. Interestingly, while the strengthening of the inputs to D1-MSNs→VP was of postsynaptic origin and manifested as increased AMPA to NMDA ratio, in pD2-MSNs→VP plasticity was predominantly presynaptic and was detected as changes in the paired-pulse ratio and coefficient of variation. Lastly, some of the changes were sex-specific. Overall our data show that abstinence from cocaine changes the excitatory inputs to both D1-MSNs→VP and pD2-MSNs→VP but with different mechanisms. This may help understand how circuits converging into the VP change after cocaine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kineret Inbar
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9112102 Israel
| | - Liran A. Levi
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9112102 Israel
| | - Yonatan M. Kupchik
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9112102 Israel
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17
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Mizusaki BEP, Li SSY, Costa RP, Sjöström PJ. Pre- and postsynaptically expressed spike-timing-dependent plasticity contribute differentially to neuronal learning. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1009409. [PMID: 35700188 PMCID: PMC9236267 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A plethora of experimental studies have shown that long-term synaptic plasticity can be expressed pre- or postsynaptically depending on a range of factors such as developmental stage, synapse type, and activity patterns. The functional consequences of this diversity are not clear, although it is understood that whereas postsynaptic expression of plasticity predominantly affects synaptic response amplitude, presynaptic expression alters both synaptic response amplitude and short-term dynamics. In most models of neuronal learning, long-term synaptic plasticity is implemented as changes in connective weights. The consideration of long-term plasticity as a fixed change in amplitude corresponds more closely to post- than to presynaptic expression, which means theoretical outcomes based on this choice of implementation may have a postsynaptic bias. To explore the functional implications of the diversity of expression of long-term synaptic plasticity, we adapted a model of long-term plasticity, more specifically spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), such that it was expressed either independently pre- or postsynaptically, or in a mixture of both ways. We compared pair-based standard STDP models and a biologically tuned triplet STDP model, and investigated the outcomes in a minimal setting, using two different learning schemes: in the first, inputs were triggered at different latencies, and in the second a subset of inputs were temporally correlated. We found that presynaptic changes adjusted the speed of learning, while postsynaptic expression was more efficient at regulating spike timing and frequency. When combining both expression loci, postsynaptic changes amplified the response range, while presynaptic plasticity allowed control over postsynaptic firing rates, potentially providing a form of activity homeostasis. Our findings highlight how the seemingly innocuous choice of implementing synaptic plasticity by single weight modification may unwittingly introduce a postsynaptic bias in modelling outcomes. We conclude that pre- and postsynaptically expressed plasticity are not interchangeable, but enable complimentary functions. Differences between functional properties of pre- or postsynaptically expressed long-term plasticity have not yet been explored in much detail. In this paper, we used minimalist models of STDP with different expression loci, in search of fundamental functional consequences. Biologically, presynaptic expression acts mostly on neurotransmitter release, thereby altering short-term synaptic dynamics, whereas postsynaptic expression affects mainly synaptic gain. We compared models where plasticity was expressed only presynaptically or postsynaptically, or in both ways. We found that postsynaptic plasticity had a bigger impact over response times, while both pre- and postsynaptic plasticity were similarly capable of detecting correlated inputs. A model with biologically tuned expression of plasticity achieved the same outcome over a range of frequencies. Also, postsynaptic spiking frequency was not directly affected by presynaptic plasticity of short-term plasticity alone, however in combination with a postsynaptic component, it helped restrain positive feedback, contributing to activity homeostasis. In conclusion, expression locus may determine affinity for distinct coding schemes while also contributing to keep activity within bounds. Our findings highlight the importance of carefully implementing expression of plasticity in biological modelling, since the locus of expression may affect functional outcomes in simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Eymi Pimentel Mizusaki
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Programme, Departments of Medicine, Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Computational Neuroscience Unit, Department of Computer Science, SCEEM, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Sally Si Ying Li
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Programme, Departments of Medicine, Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rui Ponte Costa
- Computational Neuroscience Unit, Department of Computer Science, SCEEM, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Per Jesper Sjöström
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Programme, Departments of Medicine, Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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18
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Falcón-Moya R, Martínez-Gallego I, Rodríguez-Moreno A. Kainate receptor modulation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the CA2 region of the hippocampus. J Neurochem 2021; 158:1083-1093. [PMID: 34293825 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Kainate (KA) receptors (KARs) are important modulators of synaptic transmission. We studied here the role of KARs on glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the CA2 region of the hippocampus where the actions of these receptors are unknown. We observed that KA depresses glutamatergic synaptic transmission at Schaffer collateral-CA2 synapses; an effect that was antagonized by NBQX (a KA/AMPA receptors antagonist) under condition where AMPA receptors were previously blocked. The study of paired-pulse facilitation ratio, miniature responses, and fluctuation analysis indicated a presynaptic locus of action for KAR. Additionally, we determined the action mechanism for this depression of glutamate release mediated by the activation of KARs. We found that inhibition of protein kinase A suppressed the effect of KAR activation on evoked excitatory post-synaptic current, an effect that was not suppressed by protein kinase C inhibitors. Furthermore, in the presence of Pertussis toxin, the depression of glutamate release mediated by KAR activation was not present, invoking the participation of a Gi/o protein in this modulation. Finally, the KAR-mediated depression of glutamate release was not suppressed by treatments that affect calcium entry trough voltage-dependent calcium channels or calcium release from intracellular stores. We conclude that KARs present at these synapses mediate a depression of glutamate release through a mechanism that involves the activation of G protein and protein kinase A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Falcón-Moya
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Celular y Plasticidad, Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Irene Martínez-Gallego
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Celular y Plasticidad, Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Antonio Rodríguez-Moreno
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Celular y Plasticidad, Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
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19
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Metabotropic actions of kainate receptors modulating glutamate release. Neuropharmacology 2021; 197:108696. [PMID: 34274351 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/06/2022]
Abstract
Presynaptic kainate (KA) receptors (KARs) modulate GABA and glutamate release in the central nervous system of mammals. While some of the actions of KARs are ionotropic, metabotropic actions for these receptors have also been seen to modulate both GABA and glutamate release. In general, presynaptic KARs modulate glutamate release through their metabotropic actions in a biphasic manner, with low KA concentrations producing an increase in glutamate release and higher concentrations of KA driving weaker release of this neurotransmitter. Different molecular mechanisms are involved in this modulation of glutamate release, with a G-protein independent, Ca2+-calmodulin adenylate cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA) dependent mechanism facilitating glutamate release, and a G-protein, AC and PKA dependent mechanism mediating the decrease in neurotransmitter release. Here, we describe the events underlying the KAR modulation of glutamatergic transmission in different brain regions, addressing the possible functions of this modulation and proposing future research lines in this field.
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20
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Rare CASP6N73T variant associated with hippocampal volume exhibits decreased proteolytic activity, synaptic transmission defect, and neurodegeneration. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12695. [PMID: 34135352 PMCID: PMC8209045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91367-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Caspase-6 (Casp6) is implicated in Alzheimer disease (AD) cognitive impairment and pathology. Hippocampal atrophy is associated with cognitive impairment in AD. Here, a rare functional exonic missense CASP6 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), causing the substitution of asparagine with threonine at amino acid 73 in Casp6 (Casp6N73T), was associated with hippocampal subfield CA1 volume preservation. Compared to wild type Casp6 (Casp6WT), recombinant Casp6N73T altered Casp6 proteolysis of natural substrates Lamin A/C and α-Tubulin, but did not alter cleavage of the Ac-VEID-AFC Casp6 peptide substrate. Casp6N73T-transfected HEK293T cells showed elevated Casp6 mRNA levels similar to Casp6WT-transfected cells, but, in contrast to Casp6WT, did not accumulate active Casp6 subunits nor show increased Casp6 enzymatic activity. Electrophysiological and morphological assessments showed that Casp6N73T recombinant protein caused less neurofunctional damage and neurodegeneration in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons than Casp6WT. Lastly, CASP6 mRNA levels were increased in several AD brain regions confirming the implication of Casp6 in AD. These studies suggest that the rare Casp6N73T variant may protect against hippocampal atrophy due to its altered catalysis of natural protein substrates and intracellular instability thus leading to less Casp6-mediated damage to neuronal structure and function.
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21
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Wong HHW, Rannio S, Jones V, Thomazeau A, Sjöström PJ. NMDA receptors in axons: there's no coincidence. J Physiol 2020; 599:367-387. [PMID: 33141440 DOI: 10.1113/jp280059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the textbook view, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are postsynaptically located detectors of coincident activity in Hebbian learning. However, controversial presynaptically located NMDA receptors (preNMDARs) have for decades been repeatedly reported in the literature. These preNMDARs have typically been implicated in the regulation of short-term and long-term plasticity, but precisely how they signal and what their functional roles are have been poorly understood. The functional roles of preNMDARs across several brain regions and different forms of plasticity can differ vastly, with recent discoveries showing key involvement of unusual subunit composition. Increasing evidence shows preNMDAR can signal through both ionotropic action by fluxing calcium and in metabotropic mode even in the presence of magnesium blockade. We argue that these unusual properties may explain why controversy has surrounded this receptor type. In addition, the expression of preNMDARs at some synapse types but not others can underlie synapse-type-specific plasticity. Last but not least, preNMDARs are emerging therapeutic targets in disease states such as neuropathic pain. We conclude that axonally located preNMDARs are required for specific purposes and do not end up there by accident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hovy Ho-Wai Wong
- Department of Medicine, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Sabine Rannio
- Department of Medicine, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Victoria Jones
- Department of Medicine, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Aurore Thomazeau
- Department of Medicine, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - P Jesper Sjöström
- Department of Medicine, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada
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Godfrey N, Borgland SL. Sex differences in the effect of acute fasting on excitatory and inhibitory synapses onto ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons. J Physiol 2020; 598:5523-5539. [PMID: 32886798 DOI: 10.1113/jp280412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Fasting can increase motivation for food and can energize reward-seeking. Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons respond to motivationally relevant information and fasting can influence mesolimbic dopamine concentration. An acute overnight fast differentially alters food approach behaviours and excitatory synaptic transmission onto VTA dopamine neurons of male or female mice. While inhibitory synapses onto VTA dopamine neurons are not altered by fasting in male or female mice, male mice had strengthened excitatory synapses whereas female mice had increased endocannabinoid-mediated short-term plasticity at excitatory synapses. These results help us understand how fasting differentially influences excitatory synaptic transmission onto dopamine neurons and may inform different strategies for fasting-induced food seeking by male and female mice. ABSTRACT Dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are important for energizing goal-directed behaviour towards food and are sensitive to changes in metabolic states. Fasting increases the incentive motivation for food and the mobilization of energy stores and has sex-dependent effects. However, it is unknown how acute fasting alters excitatory or inhibitory synaptic transmission onto VTA dopamine neurons. An acute 16 h overnight fast induced increased food-seeking behaviour that was more predominant in male mice. Fasting increased miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency and amplitude in male, but not female, mice. This effect was not due to altered release probability as there was no change in the paired pulse ratio, nor was it due to an altered postsynaptic response as there was no change in the AMPA receptor/NMDA receptor ratio or response to glutamate uncaging. However, this effect was consistent with an increase in the number of release sites. In addition, depolarization-induced suppression of excitation, a measure of short-term endocannabinoid-mediated plasticity, was enhanced in female but not male fasted mice. There were no fasting-induced changes at inhibitory synapses onto dopamine neurons of male or female mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate that fasting influences excitatory synapses differentially in male and female mice, but preserves inhibitory synapses onto dopamine neurons, indicating that the mesolimbic circuits of male and female mice respond differently to acute energy deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Godfrey
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Stephanie L Borgland
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Astrocyte-mediated switch in spike timing-dependent plasticity during hippocampal development. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4388. [PMID: 32873805 PMCID: PMC7463247 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18024-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Presynaptic spike timing-dependent long-term depression (t-LTD) at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses is evident until the 3rd postnatal week in mice, disappearing during the 4th week. At more mature stages, we found that the protocol that induced t-LTD induced t-LTP. We characterized this form of t-LTP and the mechanisms involved in its induction, as well as that driving this switch from t-LTD to t-LTP. We found that this t-LTP is expressed presynaptically at CA3-CA1 synapses, as witnessed by coefficient of variation, number of failures, paired-pulse ratio and miniature responses analysis. Additionally, this form of presynaptic t-LTP does not require NMDARs but the activation of mGluRs and the entry of Ca2+ into the postsynaptic neuron through L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Nitric oxide is also required as a messenger from the postsynaptic neuron. Crucially, the release of adenosine and glutamate by astrocytes is required for t-LTP induction and for the switch from t-LTD to t-LTP. Thus, we have discovered a developmental switch of synaptic transmission from t-LTD to t-LTP at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses in which astrocytes play a central role and revealed a form of presynaptic LTP and the rules for its induction. Presynaptic spike timing-dependent long-term depression at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses is evident until the third postnatal week in mice. The authors show that maturation beyond four weeks is associated with a switch to long-term potentiation in which astrocytes play a central role.
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