Back to Search
Start Over
Transient astrocytic mGluR5 expression drives synaptic plasticity and subsequent chronic pain in mice.
- Source :
-
The Journal of experimental medicine [J Exp Med] 2022 Apr 04; Vol. 219 (4). Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Mar 23. - Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Activation of astrocytes has a profound effect on brain plasticity and is critical for the pathophysiology of several neurological disorders including neuropathic pain. Here, we show that metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), which reemerges in astrocytes in a restricted time frame, is essential for these functions. Although mGluR5 is absent in healthy adult astrocytes, it transiently reemerges in astrocytes of the somatosensory cortex (S1). During a limited spatiotemporal time frame, astrocytic mGluR5 drives Ca2+ signals; upregulates multiple synaptogenic molecules such as Thrombospondin-1, Glypican-4, and Hevin; causes excess excitatory synaptogenesis; and produces persistent alteration of S1 neuronal activity, leading to mechanical allodynia. All of these events were abolished by the astrocyte-specific deletion of mGluR5. Astrocytes dynamically control synaptic plasticity by turning on and off a single molecule, mGluR5, which defines subsequent persistent brain functions, especially under pathological conditions.<br /> (© 2022 Danjo et al.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1540-9538
- Volume :
- 219
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Journal of experimental medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 35319723
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20210989