GLAST versus GFAP as astroglial marker for the subcellular study of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in astrocytes

The cannabinoid CB1 receptor-mediated functions in astrocytes are highly dependent on the CB1 receptor distribution in these glial cells relative to neuronal sites, particularly at the nearby synapses under normal or pathological conditions. However, the portrait of the CB1 receptor distribution in...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Achicallende Urcaregui, Svein, Bonilla del Río, Itziar, Serrano Murgia, Maitane, Mimenza Saiz, Amaia, Lekunberri Odriozola, Leire, Anaut Lusar, Ilazki, Puente Bustinza, Nagore, Gerrikagoitia Marina, Inmaculada, Grandes Moreno, Pedro Rolando
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universidad del País Vasco
Repositorio:Addi. Archivo Digital para la Docencia y la Investigación
OAI Identifier:oai:addi.ehu.eus:10810/78462
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10810/78462
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Endocannabinoid system
Glia
Glial markers
hippocampus
Immunocytochemistry
Electron microscopy
Descripción
Sumario:The cannabinoid CB1 receptor-mediated functions in astrocytes are highly dependent on the CB1 receptor distribution in these glial cells relative to neuronal sites, particularly at the nearby synapses under normal or pathological conditions. However, the portrait of the CB1 receptor distribution in astroglial compartments remains uncompleted because of the scarce CB1 receptor expression in these cells and the limited identification of astrocytes. The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is commonly used as astroglial marker. However, because GFAP is a cytoskeleton protein mostly restricted to the astroglial cell bodies and their main branches, it seems not ideal for the localization of CB1 receptor distribution in astrocytes. Therefore, alternative markers to decipher the actual astroglial CB1 receptors are required. In this work, we have compared the glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST) versus GFAP for the CB1 receptor localization in astrocytes. We found by immunoelectron microscopy that GLAST reveals almost three-fold astroglial area and four-fold astroglial membranes compared to GFAP. In addition, this better visualization of astrocytes was associated with the detection of 12% of the total CB1 receptor labeling in GLAST-positive astrocytes.