The psychostimulant modafinil enhances gap junctional communication in cortical astrocytes.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_993EC6FCB611
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
The psychostimulant modafinil enhances gap junctional communication in cortical astrocytes.
Journal
Neuropharmacology
Author(s)
Liu X., Petit J.M., Ezan P., Gyger J., Magistretti P., Giaume C.
ISSN
1873-7064 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0028-3908
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
75
Pages
533-538
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tPublication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Sleep-wake cycle is characterized by changes in neuronal network activity. However, for the last decade there is increasing evidence that neuroglial interaction may play a role in the modulation of sleep homeostasis and that astrocytes have a critical impact in this process. Interestingly, astrocytes are organized into communicating networks based on their high expression of connexins, which are the molecular constituents of gap junction channels. Thus, neuroglial interactions should also be considered as the result of the interplay between neuronal and astroglial networks. Here, we investigate the effect of modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting agent, on astrocyte gap junctional communication. We report that in the cortex modafinil injection increases the expression of mRNA and protein of connexin 30 but not those of connexin 43, the other major astroglial connexin. These increases are correlated with an enhancement of intercellular dye coupling in cortical astrocytes, which is abolished when neuronal activity is silenced by tetrodotoxin. Moreover, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, which at a millimolar concentration induces sleep, has an opposite effect on astroglial gap junctions in an activity-independent manner. These results support the proposition that astroglia may play an important role in complex physiological brain functions, such as sleep regulation, and that neuroglial networking interaction is modified during sleep-wake cycle. This article is part of the Special Issue Section entitled 'Current Pharmacology of Gap Junction Channels and Hemichannels'.
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
07/03/2014 17:58
Last modification date
16/02/2021 6:27
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