| First Author | Kanemaru K | Year | 2014 |
| Journal | Cell Rep | Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 311-8 |
| PubMed ID | 24981861 | Mgi Jnum | J:212077 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5578052 | Doi | 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.05.056 |
| Citation | Kanemaru K, et al. (2014) In Vivo visualization of subtle, transient, and local activity of astrocytes using an ultrasensitive ca(2+) indicator. Cell Rep 8(1):311-8 |
| abstractText | Astrocytes generate local calcium (Ca(2+)) signals that are thought to regulate their functions. Visualization of these signals in the intact brain requires an imaging method with high spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we describe such a method using transgenic mice expressing the ultrasensitive ratiometric Ca(2+) indicator yellow Cameleon-Nano 50 (YC-Nano50) in astrocytes. In these mice, we detected a unique pattern of Ca(2+) signals. These occur spontaneously, predominantly in astrocytic fine processes, but not the cell body. Upon sensory stimulation, astrocytes initially responded with Ca(2+) signals at fine processes, which then propagated to the cell body. These observations suggest that astrocytic fine processes function as a high-sensitivity detector of neuronal activities. Thus, the method provides a useful tool for studying the activity of astrocytes in brain physiology and pathology. |
