Layer-specific morphological and molecular differences in neocortical astrocytes and their dependence on neuronal layers.

ABSTRACT: Non-pial neocortical astrocytes have historically been thought to comprise largely a nondiverse population of protoplasmic astrocytes. Here we show that astrocytes of the mouse somatosensory cortex manifest layer-specific morphological and molecular differences. Two- and three-dimensional observations revealed that astrocytes in the different layers possess distinct morphologies as reflected by differences in cell orientation, territorial volume, and arborization. The extent of ensheathment of synaptic clefts by astrocytes in layer II/III was greater than that by those in layer VI. Moreover, differences in gene expression were observed between upper-layer and deep-layer astrocytes. Importantly, layer-specific differences in astrocyte properties were abrogated in reeler and Dab1 conditional

SUBMITTER: Lanjakornsiripan D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5915416 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature