Adenosine A_2A receptors blockade attenuates dexamethasone-induced alterations in cultured astrocytes.

ABSTRACT: Anxiety involves abnormal glucocorticoid signalling and altered glia-neuron communication in brain regions processing emotional responses. Adenosine A_2A receptor (A_2AR) blockade ameliorates mood and memory impairments by preventing synaptic dysfunction and astrogliosis. Since the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) can mimic early life-stress conditions, leading to anxiety-like behaviours, we now tested if A_2AR blockade prevents alterations in the morphology and function of astrocytes exposed to DEX. Cultured astrocytes exposed to DEX exhibited an up-regulation of astrocytic markers (GFAP, connexin-43 and glutamine synthetase), as well as of A_2AR. Moreover, DEX enhanced ATP and glutamate release and increased basal astrocytic Ca²⁺ level

SUBMITTER: Madeira D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9123136 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature