Multiple Lines of Evidence Indicate That Gliotransmission Does Not Occur under Physiological Conditions.

ABSTRACT: A major controversy persists within the field of glial biology concerning whether or not, under physiological conditions, neuronal activity leads to Ca2+-dependent release of neurotransmitters from astrocytes, a phenomenon known as gliotransmission. Our perspective is that, while we and others can apply techniques to cause gliotransmission, there is considerable evidence gathered using astrocyte-specific and more physiological approaches which suggests that gliotransmission is a pharmacological phenomenon rather than a physiological process. Approaches providing evidence against gliotransmission include stimulation of Gq-GPCRs expressed only in astrocytes, as well as removal of the primary proposed source of astrocyte Ca2+ responsible for gliotransmission. These approaches contrast with th

SUBMITTER: Fiacco TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5761435 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature