Project description:Given that the striatum is a large, multifunctional nucleus, we next aimed to understand where astrocyte subtypes exist in the striatum at a single-cell resolution using MERFISH. We reproducibly identified the seven astrocyte subtypes, some of which were dorsal (A1, A7), medial (A3, A6) or ventral dominant (A4).
Project description:Astrocytes tile the central nervous system, but their functions in neural microcircuits in vivo and their roles in mammalian behavior remain incompletely defined. We used 2-photon laser scanning microscopy (2PLSM), electrophysiology, MINIscopes, RNA-seq and a new genetic approach to characterize the effects of reduced striatal astrocyte Ca2+ signaling in vivo. In wild type mice, reducing striatal astrocyte Ca2+-dependent signaling increased repetitive self-grooming behaviors by altering medium spiny neuron (MSN) activity. The mechanism involved astrocyte-mediated neuromodulation mediated by ambient GABA and was corrected by blocking astrocyte GABA transporter 3 (GAT-3). Furthermore, in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease, dysregulation of GABA and astrocyte Ca2+ signaling accompanied excessive self-grooming, which was relieved by blocking GAT-3. Assessments with RNA-seq revealed astrocyte genes and pathways regulated by Ca2+ signaling in a cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous manner, including Rab11a, a regulator of GAT-3 functional expression. Thus, striatal astrocytes contribute to neuromodulation controlling obsessive-compulsive-like behavior in mice.
Project description:Astrocytes tile the central nervous system, but their functions in neural microcircuits in vivo and their roles in mammalian behavior remain incompletely defined. We used 2-photon laser scanning microscopy (2PLSM), electrophysiology, MINIscopes, RNA-seq and a new genetic approach to characterize the effects of reduced striatal astrocyte Ca2+ signaling in vivo. In wild type mice, reducing striatal astrocyte Ca2+-dependent signaling increased repetitive self-grooming behaviors by altering medium spiny neuron (MSN) activity. The mechanism involved astrocyte-mediated neuromodulation mediated by ambient GABA and was corrected by blocking astrocyte GABA transporter 3 (GAT-3). Furthermore, in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease, dysregulation of GABA and astrocyte Ca2+ signaling accompanied excessive self-grooming, which was relieved by blocking GAT-3. Assessments with RNA-seq revealed astrocyte genes and pathways regulated by Ca2+ signaling in a cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous manner, including Rab11a, a regulator of GAT-3 functional expression. Thus, striatal astrocytes contribute to neuromodulation controlling obsessive-compulsive-like behavior in mice.
Project description:The Khakh laboratory used astrocyte selective AAVs expressing Rpl22-HA and hM4Di, a Gi DREADD, in the striatum. Mice recieved either 1 mg/kg CNO or vehicle to compare striatal astrocyte transcriptomes with and without Gi-GPCR signaling activation.
Project description:Purpose: The goal of this study is to use MERFISH to identify the spatial distribution of septal cells Methods: P35 CD1 mice were collected.10 µm tissue sections were obtained from along the rostro-caudal axis and adhered to the MERSCOPE Slide. The samples were permeabilized in 70% ethanol overnight, followed by cell boundary staining. A 500-gene panel was generated based on enriched genes in each astrocyte and neuron cluster, with approximately 100 astrocyte genes and 400 neuron genes, The samples were then hybridized using the gene panel mix, followed by gel embedding and clearing steps. Images were processed using the MERSCOPE instrument and analysis computer, along with MERSCOPE visualizer software to streamline the acquisition of high-quality MERFISH data accroding to Vizgen; Results: Neurons and astrocytespatial clusters were defined in the septum based on unique gene enrichment