Spatial organization of neuron–astrocyte interactions in the somatosensory cortex
Abstract
Microcircuits in the neocortex are functionally organized along layers and columns, which are the fundamental modules of cortical information processing. While the function of cortical microcircuits has focused on neuronal elements, much less is known about the functional organization of astrocytes and their bidirectional interaction with neurons. Here, we show that Cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R)-mediated astrocyte activation by neuron-released endocannabinoids elevate astrocyte Ca2+ levels, stimulate ATP/adenosine release as gliotransmitters, and transiently depress synaptic transmission in layer 5 pyramidal neurons at relatively distant synapses (˃20 μm) from the stimulated neuron. This astrocyte-mediated heteroneuronal synaptic depression occurred between pyramidal neurons within a cortical column and was absent in neurons belonging to adjacent cortical columns. Moreover, this form of heteroneuronal synaptic depression occurs between neurons located in particular layers, following a specific connectivity pattern that depends on a layer-specific neuron-to-astrocyte signaling. These results unravel the existence of astrocyte-mediated nonsynaptic communication between cortical neurons and that this communication is column- and layer-specific, which adds further complexity to the intercellular signaling processes in the neocortex.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Sep 16, 2022
- Source ID
- 10.1093/cercor/bhac357
Entities
People
- Alfonso Araque
- Andrés M Baraibar
- Carlos Matute
- Giovanni Marsicano
- Lindsey Belisle
- Paulo Kofuji
- Susana Mato
Organizations
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience
- Basque Government
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas
- French National Institute of Health and Medical Research
- National Institutes of Health
- Neurocentre Magendie
- United States Department of Defense
- University of Bordeaux
- University of Minnesota
- University of the Basque Country