Neurons diversify astrocytes in the adult brain through sonic hedgehog signaling

Astrocytes are specialized and heterogeneous cells that contribute to central nervous system function and homeostasis. However, the mechanisms that create and maintain differences among astrocytes and allow them to fulfill particular physiological roles remain poorly defined. We reveal that neurons...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2016-02, Vol.351 (6275), p.849-854
Main Authors: Farmer, W. Todd, Abrahamsson, Therése, Chierzi, Sabrina, Lui, Christopher, Zaelzer, Cristian, Jones, Emma V., Bally, Blandine Ponroy, Chen, Gary G., Théroux, Jean-Francois, Peng, Jimmy, Bourque, Charles W., Charron, Frédéric, Ernst, Carl, Sjöström, P. Jesper, Murai, Keith K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anatomy
Animals
Astrocytes - metabolism
Brain
Cells
Cerebellar Cortex - cytology
Female
Gene Deletion
Hedgehog Proteins - genetics
Hedgehog Proteins - metabolism
Male
Mice
Mice, Mutant Strains
Neurons
Neurons - metabolism
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - genetics
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - metabolism
Signal Transduction
Signaling
Smoothened Receptor
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Summary:Astrocytes are specialized and heterogeneous cells that contribute to central nervous system function and homeostasis. However, the mechanisms that create and maintain differences among astrocytes and allow them to fulfill particular physiological roles remain poorly defined. We reveal that neurons actively determine the features of astrocytes in the healthy adult brain and define a role for neuron-derived sonic hedgehog (Shh) in regulating the molecular and functional profile of astrocytes. Thus, the molecular and physiological program of astrocytes is not hardwired during development but, rather, depends on cues from neurons that drive and sustain their specialized properties.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.aab3103