Periodic Reporting for period 4 - AstroWireSyn (Wiring synaptic circuits with astroglial connexins: mechanisms, dynamics and impact for critical period plasticity)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2021-04-01 do 2022-03-31
Brain information processing is commonly thought to be a neuronal performance. However recent data point to a key role of astrocytes in brain development, activity and pathology. Astrocytes are indeed now viewed as crucial elements of the brain circuitry that control synapse formation, maturation, activity and elimination. How do astrocytes exert such control is a matter of intense research, as they are now known to participate in critical developmental periods as well as in psychiatric disorders involving synapse alterations. Thus unraveling how astrocytes control synaptic circuit formation and maturation is crucial, not only for our understanding of brain development, but also for identifying novel therapeutic targets.
We previously found that connexin 30 (Cx30), an astroglial gap junction subunit expressed postnatally, tunes synaptic activity via an unprecedented non-channel function setting the proximity of glial processes to synaptic clefts, essential for synaptic glutamate clearance efficacy. This work revealed Cx30 as a key determinant of glial synapse coverage, and extended the classical model of neuroglial interactions in which astrocytes are generally considered as extrasynaptic elements indirectly regulating neurotransmission. Yet the molecular mechanisms involved in such control, its dynamic regulation by activity and impact in a native developmental context are unknown. We have addressed these questions, focusing on the involvement of this novel astroglial function in wiring developing synaptic circuits.
We previously found that connexin 30 (Cx30), an astroglial gap junction subunit expressed postnatally, tunes synaptic activity via an unprecedented non-channel function setting the proximity of glial processes to synaptic clefts, essential for synaptic glutamate clearance efficacy. This work revealed Cx30 as a key determinant of glial synapse coverage, and extended the classical model of neuroglial interactions in which astrocytes are generally considered as extrasynaptic elements indirectly regulating neurotransmission. Yet the molecular mechanisms involved in such control, its dynamic regulation by activity and impact in a native developmental context are unknown. We have addressed these questions, focusing on the involvement of this novel astroglial function in wiring developing synaptic circuits.
Using a multidisciplinary approach, this project addressed:
1) the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Cx30 regulation of synaptic function
To do so, we first identified interacting protein partners of Cx30, and found two particularly interesting proteins, which control the expression and localization of Cx30, and also play a role in the structural and functional membrane properties of astrocytes, notably on the structural reorganization and dynamics of astrocytes during their migration, which alters their local physical surface. In addition deficiency for one of this partner mimics the change in astroglial morphology (ramification) and excitatory synaptic transmission induced by Cx30 deficiency, suggesting its involvement in the effect of Cx30. Altogether, these data reveal the importance of Cx30 protein interactions in the inhibition of astrocyte structural and mechanical plasticity.
We then explored the role of Cx30 at the cellular level, and found that it regulates astrocyte polarization during postnatal development. We indeed discovered that Cx30, independently of its gap-junction mediated biochemical coupling function, controls the orientation of astroglial protrusion during polarized migration via modulation of a well-known polarity pathway.
Finally, at the subcellular level, we found that Cx30 regulation of synaptic function is cell specific as we discovered that Cx30 regulates both excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the hippocampus, but differentially according to their presence on principal cells and interneurons.
2) The activity-dependent dynamics of Cx30 function at synapses
Here we first investigated whether Cx30 expression, localization and function was activity-dependent. Interestingly, we found that bursting activity increases hippocampal Cx30 protein levels, in particular at membranes and perisynaptic processes, via a calcium-dependent and post-translational mechanism regulating lysosomal degradation. This regulation translated at the functional level in the activation of Cx30 hemichannels, and in Cx30-mediated remodeling of astrocyte morphology independently of gap junction biochemical coupling. Remarkably, we found in turn that astroglial Cx30 sustains neuronal population bursts and increases the severity of associated behavioral seizures, also independently of gap-junction mediated biochemical coupling. Altogether, these data point to a positive feedback loop that could favor aberrant bursting and possibly increase the severity of seizures in vivo.
Finally, we studied the local and dynamic synthesis of connexins and associated partners in perisynaptic astroglial processes (PAP). We found in hippocampal PAPs the presence of a whole translational machinery including ribosomes, mRNAs and organelles for protein maturation, which permits the translation of a specific set of proteins, including Cx30, which are involved in a variety of processes including cell signaling or cytoskeletal dynamics, and whose expression is dynamically regulated by memory related processes.
3) The role for Cx30 in wiring synaptic circuits during critical developmental periods
We here investigated the role of astroglial Cx30 in a form of more integrated plasticity occurring during the development: the critical period plasticity in the visual cortex. Postnatal development is indeed characterized by critical periods of experience-dependent enhanced brain plasticity. If these periods do not end properly, this can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders due to the absence of proper synaptic connections. We found that astrocytes close the visual cortex critical period via a novel mechanism involving a Cx30-Rho-ROCK signaling pathway, which regulates the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase 9 that controls the abundance of the extracellular matrix, and thus the ability to structurally and functionally remodel synaptic circuits in an activity-dependent manner. This work reveals that Cx30 is an astroglial molecular lock involved in the termination of the critical period, and thereby offers a new cellular and molecular target to alleviate dysfunctions associated with failure to close critical developmental periods.
In all, these data provide fundamental knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms mediating astroglial regulation of synaptic networks.
The results of this research have been well disseminated in international and national meetings or institutes via oral presentations and posters, as well as via the publication of several important articles in high impact journals (Science, Nature Communications, Nature Reviews Neuroscience...).
1) the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Cx30 regulation of synaptic function
To do so, we first identified interacting protein partners of Cx30, and found two particularly interesting proteins, which control the expression and localization of Cx30, and also play a role in the structural and functional membrane properties of astrocytes, notably on the structural reorganization and dynamics of astrocytes during their migration, which alters their local physical surface. In addition deficiency for one of this partner mimics the change in astroglial morphology (ramification) and excitatory synaptic transmission induced by Cx30 deficiency, suggesting its involvement in the effect of Cx30. Altogether, these data reveal the importance of Cx30 protein interactions in the inhibition of astrocyte structural and mechanical plasticity.
We then explored the role of Cx30 at the cellular level, and found that it regulates astrocyte polarization during postnatal development. We indeed discovered that Cx30, independently of its gap-junction mediated biochemical coupling function, controls the orientation of astroglial protrusion during polarized migration via modulation of a well-known polarity pathway.
Finally, at the subcellular level, we found that Cx30 regulation of synaptic function is cell specific as we discovered that Cx30 regulates both excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the hippocampus, but differentially according to their presence on principal cells and interneurons.
2) The activity-dependent dynamics of Cx30 function at synapses
Here we first investigated whether Cx30 expression, localization and function was activity-dependent. Interestingly, we found that bursting activity increases hippocampal Cx30 protein levels, in particular at membranes and perisynaptic processes, via a calcium-dependent and post-translational mechanism regulating lysosomal degradation. This regulation translated at the functional level in the activation of Cx30 hemichannels, and in Cx30-mediated remodeling of astrocyte morphology independently of gap junction biochemical coupling. Remarkably, we found in turn that astroglial Cx30 sustains neuronal population bursts and increases the severity of associated behavioral seizures, also independently of gap-junction mediated biochemical coupling. Altogether, these data point to a positive feedback loop that could favor aberrant bursting and possibly increase the severity of seizures in vivo.
Finally, we studied the local and dynamic synthesis of connexins and associated partners in perisynaptic astroglial processes (PAP). We found in hippocampal PAPs the presence of a whole translational machinery including ribosomes, mRNAs and organelles for protein maturation, which permits the translation of a specific set of proteins, including Cx30, which are involved in a variety of processes including cell signaling or cytoskeletal dynamics, and whose expression is dynamically regulated by memory related processes.
3) The role for Cx30 in wiring synaptic circuits during critical developmental periods
We here investigated the role of astroglial Cx30 in a form of more integrated plasticity occurring during the development: the critical period plasticity in the visual cortex. Postnatal development is indeed characterized by critical periods of experience-dependent enhanced brain plasticity. If these periods do not end properly, this can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders due to the absence of proper synaptic connections. We found that astrocytes close the visual cortex critical period via a novel mechanism involving a Cx30-Rho-ROCK signaling pathway, which regulates the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase 9 that controls the abundance of the extracellular matrix, and thus the ability to structurally and functionally remodel synaptic circuits in an activity-dependent manner. This work reveals that Cx30 is an astroglial molecular lock involved in the termination of the critical period, and thereby offers a new cellular and molecular target to alleviate dysfunctions associated with failure to close critical developmental periods.
In all, these data provide fundamental knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms mediating astroglial regulation of synaptic networks.
The results of this research have been well disseminated in international and national meetings or institutes via oral presentations and posters, as well as via the publication of several important articles in high impact journals (Science, Nature Communications, Nature Reviews Neuroscience...).
This project provided essential knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying astroglial control of functional synaptic circuits with repercussions in health and disease. In particular, it illustrates how an original molecular mechanism controlling structural neuroglial interactions is dynamically involved in synaptic wiring underlying learning and memory, as well as cortical plasticity during critical periods. Neural circuits shaped by early experience determine performance. Although one can learn throughout life, learning capacity is matchless in young subjects due to enhanced plasticity. Remarkably, brain lesions in adults can partly revert local circuits to a transiently immature plastic state favoring recovery. Getting insights into the molecular basis of developmental critical period should thus help establishing new strategies to reinduce enhanced plasticity in adults and favors rehabilitation after brain damage. Finally, understanding how astrocytes control the development of functional synaptic circuits should also generate a novel framework for identifying mechanisms underlying neurological or psychiatric disorders resulting from synaptic circuit alterations, thus setting ground for future clinical investigations.