Profiling protoplasmic astrocytes as the missing cellular component in experience-dependent visual cortex plasticity

Astrocytes are the natural caretaker cells of the brain, essential for maintaining circuit activity andprotecting neuronal function. These highly branched glial cells, are closely associated withsynapses and as such ideally positioned pharmaceutical entry points for controlling synapticactivity. Through gliotransmission, at the tripartite synapse, astrocytes can influence neuronalsignalling, making them potent plasticity modulators. This project aims at unravelling how and towhat extent astrocytes are involved in plasticity phenomena induced by monocular enucleation(ME) in the visual cortex, a research model for late onset blindness. We hypothesize thatastrocyte-neuron and astrocyte-astrocyte communication/interactions are essential mechanismsunderlying sensory loss-induced recovery processes. Characterization of local as well as brain-wideanatomical, molecular and functional astrocytic alterations induced by ME, will define the role ofastrocytes in cortical plasticity processes. The integrated omics approach of this project also holdsgreat potential for identifying new astrocyte-specific targets for therapeutic intervention forfrequently occurring neurological disorders such as depression, epilepsy and traumatic braininjury. Finally this project will aid in further putting astrocytes on the map as major regulators ofbrain function and as fascinating targets for innovative therapeutic approaches for brain disorders.

Jaar van publicatie:2020

Toegankelijkheid:Closed