Astrocytic p38α MAPK drives NMDA receptor-dependent long-term depression and modulates long-term memory.
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2019
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Nature Communications
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Abstract
NMDA receptor-dependent long-term depression (LTD) in the hippocampus is a well-known
form of synaptic plasticity that has been linked to different cognitive functions. The core
mechanism for this form of plasticity is thought to be entirely neuronal. However, we now
demonstrate that astrocytic activity drives LTD at CA3-CA1 synapses. We have found that
LTD induction enhances astrocyte-to-neuron communication mediated by glutamate, and
that Ca2+ signaling and SNARE-dependent vesicular release from the astrocyte are required
for LTD expression. In addition, using optogenetic techniques, we show that low-frequency
astrocytic activation, in the absence of presynaptic activity, is sufficient to induce postsynaptic
AMPA receptor removal and LTD expression. Using cell-type-specific gene deletion,
we show that astrocytic p38α MAPK is required for the increased astrocytic glutamate
release and astrocyte-to-neuron communication during low-frequency stimulation. Accordingly,
removal of astrocytic (but not neuronal) p38α abolishes LTD expression. Finally, this
mechanism modulates long-term memory in vivo.