Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Language

English

Publication Date

4-17-2023

Journal

Nature Communications

DOI

10.1038/s41467-023-37974-z

PMID

37069258

PMCID

PMC10110578

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

4-17-2023

Abstract

Despite extensive research on astrocytic Ca2+ in synaptic transmission, its contribution to the modulation of sensory transmission during different brain states remains largely unknown. Here, by using two-photon microscopy and whole-cell recordings, we show two distinct astrocytic Ca2+ signals in the murine barrel cortex: a small, long-lasting Ca2+ increase during sleep and a large, widespread but short-lasting Ca2+ spike when aroused. The large Ca2+ wave in aroused mice was inositol trisphosphate (IP3)-dependent, evoked by the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system, and enhanced sensory input, contributing to reliable sensory transmission. However, the small Ca2+ transient was IP3-independent and contributed to decreased extracellular K+, hyperpolarization of the neurons, and suppression of sensory transmission. These events respond to different pharmacological inputs and contribute to distinct sleep and arousal functions by modulating the efficacy of sensory transmission. Together, our data demonstrate an important function for astrocytes in sleep and arousal states via astrocytic Ca2+ waves.

Keywords

Mice, Animals, Wakefulness, Astrocytes, Calcium Signaling, Arousal, Sleep, Astrocyte, Sleep, Wakefulness

Published Open-Access

yes

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