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Biomolecules
Special Issues
The Potential Role of Astrocytes in Memory and Learning Processes
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The Potential Role of Astrocytes in Memory and Learning Processes

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2019) | Viewed by 3691

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Marta Navarrete Llinás

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
Interests: gliotransmission; glutamate; astrocyte networks; nucleus accumbens; synaptic plasticity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Astrocytes have emerged as active players in synaptic communication. They sense neurotransmitter release during synaptic activity, and in turn release gliotransmitters that can regulate synaptic function. Recent evidence further supports these concepts by revealing novel mechanisms and functional consequences of astrocyte–neuron interaction. However, the tripartite synapse and gliotransmission concepts continue to be debated. Through this Special Issue, we will try to outline the complex choreography that exists between neurons and glia, focusing on specific characteristics of the latter that render them pivotal players in memory and learning processes.

Dr. Marta Navarrete Llinás
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • astrocytes
  • neuron–glia communication
  • gliotransmission
  • synaptic plasticity
  • glutamate
  • optogenetics
  • chemogenetics
  • electrophysiology

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 4183 KiB  
Article
Hippocampal CCR5/RANTES Elevations in a Rodent Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Maraviroc (a CCR5 Antagonist) Increases Corticosterone Levels and Enhances Fear Memory Consolidation
by José Joaquín Merino, Vilma Muñetón-Gomez, César Muñetón-Gómez, María Ángeles Pérez-Izquierdo, María Loscertales and Adolfo Toledano Gasca
Biomolecules 2020, 10(2), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10020212 - 1 Feb 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3275
Abstract
Background: Contextual fear conditioning (CFC) is a rodent model that induces a high and long-lasting level of conditioning associated with traumatic memory formation; this behavioral paradigm resembles many characteristics of posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD). Chemokines (chemotactic cytokines) play a known role in [...] Read more.
Background: Contextual fear conditioning (CFC) is a rodent model that induces a high and long-lasting level of conditioning associated with traumatic memory formation; this behavioral paradigm resembles many characteristics of posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD). Chemokines (chemotactic cytokines) play a known role in neuronal migration and neurodegeneration but their role in cognition is not totally elucidated. Aim: We ascertain whether CCR5/RANTES beta chemokines (hippocampus/prefrontal cortex) could play a role in fear memory consolidation (CFC paradigm). We also evaluated whether chronic stress restraint (21 days of restraint, 6-h/day) could regulate levels of these beta chemokines in CFC-trained rats; fear memory retention was determined taking the level of freezing (context and tone) by the animals as an index of fear memory consolidation 24 h after CFC training session; these chemokines (CCR5/RANTES) and IL-6 levels were measured in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of chronically stressed rats, 24 h after CFC post-training, and compared with undisturbed CFC-trained rats (Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, rats received 1 mA of footshock during the CFC training session and fear memory consolidation was evaluated at 12 and 24 h after CFC training sessions. We evaluated whether RANTES levels could be differentially regulated at 12 and 24 h after CFC training; in Experiment 3, maraviroc was administered to rats (i.m: 100 mg/Kg, a CCR5 antagonist) before CFC training. These rats were not subjected to chronic stress restraint. We evaluated whether CCR5 blockade before CFC training could increase corticosterone, RANTES, or IL-6 levels and affects fear memory consolidation in the rats 24-h post-testing compared with vehicle CFC-trained rats. Results: Elevations of CCR5/RANTES chemokine levels in the hippocampus could have contributed to fear memory consolidation (24 h post-training) and chronic stress restraint did not affect these chemokines in the hippocampus; there were no significant differences in CCR5/RANTES levels between stressed and control rats in the prefrontal cortex (Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, hippocampal CCR5/RANTES levels increased and enhanced fear memory consolidation was observed 12 and 24 h after CFC training sessions with 1 mA of footshock. Increased corticosterone and CCR5/RANTES levels, as well as a higher freezing percentage to the context, were found at 24 h CFC post-testing in maraviroc-treated rats as compared to vehicle-treated animals (experiment-3). Conversely, IL-6 is not affected by maraviroc treatment in CFC training. Conclusion. Our findings suggest a role for a hippocampal CCR5/RANTES axis in contextual fear memory consolidation; in fact, RANTES levels increased at 12 and 24 h after CFC training. When CCR5 was blocked by maraviroc before CFC training, RANTES (hippocampus), corticosterone levels, and fear memory consolidation were greater than in vehicle CFC-trained rats 24 h after the CFC session. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential Role of Astrocytes in Memory and Learning Processes)
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