Analysis of astrocytic function using Ca2+ imaging

Nihon yakurigaku zasshi. Folia pharmacologica Japonica
Kazunori Kanemaru

Abstract

Accumulating evidence shows astrocytic contribution to brain function and diseases, however, the function of astrocytes remains to be uncovered. Dynamic changes in the intracellular Ca2+ level in astrocytes are one of the outstanding indexes of ongoing astrocytic activity. Therefore, we tried to uncover astrocytic function using approaches combined with Ca2+ imaging. We showed that astrocytes promote neuronal growth and survival after injury via Ca2+-dependent regulation of a cell adhesion protein, N-cadherin. Furthermore, we developed a method for the monitoring of astrocytic Ca2+ signals in living mouse brain, and found a previously unidentified pattern of spontaneous Ca2+ signals, which are preferably displayed in astrocytic fine processes. These findings and methods are promising to provide further information of astrocytic function, which can contribute to development of pharmacology.

References

Feb 7, 2001·Science·E M UllianB A Barres
Aug 19, 2007·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Kazunori KanemaruMasamitsu Iino
Jun 27, 2013·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Kazunori KanemaruMasamitsu Iino
Dec 18, 2014·Nature Communications·Shingo SuzukiChikara Furusawa

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