Dentate gyrus astrocytes exhibit layer-specific molecular, morphological and physiological features

Karpf J, Unichenko P, Chalmers N, Beyer F, Wittmann MT, Schneider J, Fidan E, Reis A, Beckervordersandforth J, Brandner S, Liebner S, Falk S, Sagner A, Henneberger C, Beckervordersandforth R (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Nature Neuroscience Nature Publishing Group

Book Volume: 25

Pages Range: 1626-1638

Journal Issue: 12

DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01192-5

Abstract

Neuronal heterogeneity has been established as a pillar of higher central nervous system function, but glial heterogeneity and its implications for neural circuit function are poorly understood. Here we show that the adult mouse dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus is populated by molecularly distinct astrocyte subtypes that are associated with distinct DG layers. Astrocytes localized to different DG compartments also exhibit subtype-specific morphologies. Physiologically, astrocytes in upper DG layers form large syncytia, while those in lower DG compartments form smaller networks. Astrocyte subtypes differentially express glutamate transporters, which is associated with different amplitudes of glutamate transporter-mediated currents. Key molecular and morphological features of astrocyte diversity in the mice DG are conserved in humans. This adds another layer of complexity to our understanding of brain network composition and function, which will be crucial for further studies on astrocytes in health and disease.

Authors with CRIS profile

Julian Karpf Department of Neurology Nicholas Chalmers Professur für Molekulare Medizin mit dem Schwerpunkt Molekulare Bildgebung Felix Beyer Lehrstuhl für Biochemie und Molekulare Medizin Marie-Theres Wittmann Lehrstuhl für Humangenetik Julia Schneider Professur für Molekulare Medizin mit dem Schwerpunkt Molekulare Bildgebung André Wiesmann da Silva Reis Lehrstuhl für Humangenetik Sebastian Brandner Department of Neurosurgery Sven Falk Lehrstuhl für Biochemie und Pathobiochemie Andreas Sagner Lehrstuhl für Biochemie und Pathobiochemie Ruth Beckervordersandforth-Bonk Lehrstuhl für Biochemie und Pathobiochemie

Involved external institutions

Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt am Main (KGU) DE Germany (DE) Maastricht University Medical Center (UMC+) NL Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

Karpf, J., Unichenko, P., Chalmers, N., Beyer, F., Wittmann, M.-T., Schneider, J.,... Beckervordersandforth, R. (2022). Dentate gyrus astrocytes exhibit layer-specific molecular, morphological and physiological features. Nature Neuroscience, 25(12), 1626-1638. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-022-01192-5

MLA:

Karpf, Julian, et al. "Dentate gyrus astrocytes exhibit layer-specific molecular, morphological and physiological features." Nature Neuroscience 25.12 (2022): 1626-1638.

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