Astrocytes promote ethanol-induced enhancement of intracellular Ca²⁺ signals through intercellular communication with neurons.

ABSTRACT: Ethanol (EtOH) abuse induces significant mortality and morbidity worldwide because of detrimental effects on brain function. Defining the contribution of astrocytes to this malfunction is imperative to understanding the overall EtOH effects due to their role in homeostasis and EtOH-seeking behaviors. Using a highly controllable in vitro system, we identify chemical signaling mechanisms through which acute EtOH exposure induces a modulatory feedback loop between neurons and astrocytes. Neuronally-derived purinergic signaling primed a subpopulation of astrocytes to respond to subsequent acute EtOH exposures (^SEastrocytes: signal enhanced astrocytes) with greater calcium signal strength. Generation of ^SEastrocytes arose from astrocytic hemichannel-derived ATP and

SUBMITTER: Kim HB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8105650 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature