Upregulation of astroglial connexin 30 impairs hippocampal synaptic activity and recognition memory

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002075
• Publication Date: 2023-04-11T17:22:12Z
• Authors: Eléonore Hardy; Julien Moulard; Augustin Walter; Pascal Ezan; Alexis-Pierre Bem...; Franck Mouthon; Mathieu Charvériat; Nathalie Rouach; Armelle Rancillac
• Keywords: Mice, Knockout; QH301-705.5; [SDV.NEU.NB]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Neurobiology; [SDV.NEU.SC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Cognitive Sciences; Hippocampus; Connexins; Up-Regulation; Mice; Astrocytes; Connexin 43; Connexin 30; Animals; Biology (General); Research Article

Astrocytes crucially contribute to synaptic physiology and information processing. One of their key characteristics is express high levels connexins (Cxs), the gap junction-forming protein. Among them, Cx30 displays specific properties since it postnatally expressed dynamically upregulated by neuronal activity modulates cognitive processes shaping network activities, as recently shown in knockout mice. However, remains unknown whether local selective upregulation postnatal astrocytes within a physiological range activities hippocampus. We here show mice that, whereas increases connectivity astroglial networks, decreases spontaneous evoked transmission. This effect results from reduced excitability translates into an alteration induction plasticity vivo impairment learning processes. Altogether, these suggest that networks have physiologically optimized size appropriately regulate functions.