Inducible ablation of astrocytes shows that these cells are required for neuronal survival in the adult brain

Cui, Wei, Allen, Nicholas Denby ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4009-186X, Skynner, Michael, Gusterson, Barry and Clark, A. John 2001. Inducible ablation of astrocytes shows that these cells are required for neuronal survival in the adult brain. Glia 34 (4) , pp. 272-282. 10.1002/glia.1061

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Abstract

To study the function of astrocytes in the adult brain, we have targeted the expression of E. coli nitroreductase (NTR) to the astrocytes of transgenic mice under the control of the GFAP promoter. The astrocytes expressing NTR were selectively ablated after administration of the prodrug CB1954, resulting in motor discoordination. Histological examination showed that the region most affected in the brain was the cerebellum, in which the Bergmann glia were eliminated and the granular neurons had degenerated. Specific effects were also noted on the dendrites of the Purkinje cells, and the junction between these neurons and granular layer was disrupted. Astrocyte ablation was associated with a dramatic decrease in the expression of glutamate transporters, which may account for the degeneration of granular neurons since the excitotoxic effects of glutamate result in a similar phenotype. These results provide the first evidence that astrocytes are important for the survival of neurons in the adult brain in vivo.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute (NMHRI)
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	0894-1491
Last Modified:	27 Oct 2022 08:25
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/62268

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