| First Author | Navarrete M | Year | 2008 |
| Journal | Neuron | Volume | 57 |
| Issue | 6 | Pages | 883-93 |
| PubMed ID | 18367089 | Mgi Jnum | J:136044 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3795025 | Doi | 10.1016/j.neuron.2008.01.029 |
| Citation | Navarrete M, et al. (2008) Endocannabinoids mediate neuron-astrocyte communication. Neuron 57(6):883-93 |
| abstractText | Cannabinoid receptors play key roles in brain function, and cannabinoid effects in brain physiology and drug-related behavior are thought to be mediated by receptors present in neurons. Neuron-astrocyte communication relies on the expression by astrocytes of neurotransmitter receptors. Yet, the expression of cannabinoid receptors by astrocytes in situ and their involvement in the neuron-astrocyte communication remain largely unknown. We show that hippocampal astrocytes express CB1 receptors that upon activation lead to phospholipase C-dependent Ca2+ mobilization from internal stores. These receptors are activated by endocannabinoids released by neurons, increasing astrocyte Ca2+ levels, which stimulate glutamate release that activates NMDA receptors in pyramidal neurons. These results demonstrate the existence of endocannabinoid-mediated neuron-astrocyte communication, revealing that astrocytes are targets of cannabinoids and might therefore participate in the physiology of cannabinoid-related addiction. They also reveal the existence of an endocannabinoid-glutamate signaling pathway where astrocytes serve as a bridge for nonsynaptic interneuronal communication. |
