Diverse Actions of Astrocytes in GABAergic Signaling

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Masaru Ishibashi¹  Atsuo Fukuda¹  Kiyoshi Egawa² 

[1] Department of Neurophysiology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan;Pediatric Department, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan;

关键词: Astrocyte;    GABAergic synapse;    Tripartite synapse;    GABA;    Chloride;    Epilepsy;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms20122964

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

An imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission leading to over excitation plays a crucial role in generating seizures, while enhancing GABAergic mechanisms are critical in terminating seizures. In recent years, it has been reported in many studies that astrocytes are deeply involved in synaptic transmission. Astrocytes form a critical component of the “tripartite” synapses by wrapping around the pre- and post-synaptic elements. From this location, astrocytes are known to greatly influence the dynamics of ions and transmitters in the synaptic cleft. Despite recent extensive research on excitatory tripartite synapses, inhibitory tripartite synapses have received less attention, even though they influence inhibitory synaptic transmission by affecting chloride and GABA concentration dynamics. In this review, we will discuss the diverse actions of astrocytic chloride and GABA homeostasis at GABAergic tripartite synapses. We will then consider the pathophysiological impacts of disturbed GABA homeostasis at the tripartite synapse.

【 授权许可】

Unknown