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The Indirect Neuron-astrocyte Coculture Assay: An <em>In Vitro</em> Set-up for the Detailed Investigation of Neuron-glia Interactions

Proper neuronal development and function is the prerequisite of the developing and the adult brain. However, the mechanisms underlying the highly ...

Ruhr-University

Synapses are specialized structures that mediate rapid and efficient signal transmission between neurons and are surrounded by glial cells. Astrocytes develop an intimate association with synapses in the central nervous system (CNS) and contribute to the regulation of ion and neurotransmitter concentrations. Together with neurons, they shape intercellular space to provide a stable milieu for neuronal activity. Extracellular matrix (ECM) components are synthesized by both neurons and astrocytes and play an important role in the formation, maintenance, and function of synapses in the CNS. The components of the ECM have been detected near glial processes, which abut onto the CNS synaptic unit, where they are part of the specialized macromolecular assemblies, termed perineuronal nets (PNNs). PNNs have originally been discovered by Golgi and represent a molecular scaffold deposited in the interface between the astrocyte and subsets of neurons in the vicinity of the synapse. Recent reports strongly suggest that PNNs are tightly involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity. Moreover, several studies have implicated PNNs and the neural ECM in neuropsychiatric diseases. Here, we highlight current concepts relating to neural ECM and PNNs and describe an in vitro approach that allows for the investigation of ECM functions for synaptogenesis.

Neuron-Glia Interactions in Neural Plasticity: Contributions of Neural Extracellular Matrix and Perineuronal Nets.

Quantification of synapses and their morphological analysis are extensively used in network development and connectivity studies, drug screening and other areas of neuroscience. Thus, a number of quantitative approaches were introduced so far. However, most of the available methods are highly tailored to specific applications and have limitations for widespread use.

Egor Dzyubenko

Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology,
Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology,
Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology

Ruhr-University

The Indirect Neuron-astrocyte Coculture Assay: An In Vitro Set-up for the Detailed Investigation of Neuron-glia Interactions

Egor Dzyubenko

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology,Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology,Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology

Ruhr-University

The Indirect Neuron-astrocyte Coculture Assay: An In Vitro Set-up for the Detailed Investigation of Neuron-glia Interactions

Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology,
Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology,
Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology