Astrocyte-to-neuron communication: functional relevance for synaptic transmission in the respiratory network?

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Swen Hülsmann
• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2008 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 82921243

• Final Report Year: 2011

Final Report Abstract

Astrocytes in the respirator network have important function for transmitter uptake and extracellular potassium regulation. In the pre-Bötzinger complex astrocytes appear to be special in the sense that they do not accumulate SR101. Functionally they appear to do not show activity dependent calcium signalling as long as they are capable to eliminate glutamate from the extracellular space. Thus astrocytic calcium signalling is, however, observed when glutamate transport processes in astrocytes are suppressed or neuronal discharge activity is excessive.

Publications

• (2009) Astrocytic calcium signals induced by neuromodulators via functional metabotropic receptors in the ventral respiratory group of neonatal mice. Glia, Vol. 57. 2009, Issue 8, pp. 815–827.
  Härtel K., C. Schnell, S. Hülsmann