Neurons diversify astrocytes in the adult brain through sonic hedgehog signaling

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 351; no. 6275; pp. 849 - 854
• Main Authors: Farmer, W. Todd, Abrahamsson, Therése, Chierzi, Sabrina, Lui, Christopher, Zaelzer, Cristian, Jones, Emma V., Bally, Blandine Ponroy, Chen, Gary G., Théroux, Jean-Francois, Peng, Jimmy, Bourque, Charles W., Charron, Frédéric, Ernst, Carl, Sjöström, P. Jesper, Murai, Keith K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 19.02.2016; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Anatomy; Animals; Astrocytes - metabolism; Brain; Cells; Cerebellar Cortex - cytology; Female; Gene Deletion; Hedgehog Proteins - genetics; Hedgehog Proteins - metabolism; Male; Mice; Mice, Mutant Strains; Neurons; Neurons - metabolism; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - genetics; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - metabolism; Signal Transduction; Signaling; Smoothened Receptor
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.aab3103

Astrocytes are specialized and heterogeneous cells that contribute to central nervous system function and homeostasis. However, the mechanisms that create and maintain differences among astrocytes and allow them to fulfill particular physiological roles remain poorly defined. We reveal that neurons actively determine the features of astrocytes in the healthy adult brain and define a role for neuron-derived sonic hedgehog (Shh) in regulating the molecular and functional profile of astrocytes. Thus, the molecular and physiological program of astrocytes is not hardwired during development but, rather, depends on cues from neurons that drive and sustain their specialized properties.