Astrocytes in the medial entorhinal cortex are required for spatial exploration
Mingzhu Huang,
Zhiqi Yang,
Haoyu Wang,
Shaofan Yang,
Jin Li,
Shanshan Liang,
Teng Teng,
Chuanyan Yang,
Mingyue Gong,
Han Qin,
Xingyi Li,
Xiaowei Chen,
Xiang Liao,
Kuan Zhang
Affiliations
Mingzhu Huang
College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
Zhiqi Yang
Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; Department of Neurology, Gansu Provincial Central Hospital, Lanzhou 730070, China
Haoyu Wang
Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Shaofan Yang
Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Jin Li
Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Shanshan Liang
Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Teng Teng
Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Chuanyan Yang
Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Mingyue Gong
Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Han Qin
Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing 400064, China
Xingyi Li
Center for Neurointelligence, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
Xiaowei Chen
Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Xiang Liao
Center for Neurointelligence, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China; Corresponding author
Kuan Zhang
Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; Corresponding author
Summary: Exploring the environment is essential for survival and has traditionally been attributed primarily to neuronal functions. However, the role of astrocytes in regulating exploratory behaviors remains poorly understood. Using fiber photometry and genetically encoded calcium indicators specifically targeted to astrocytes, we show that spatial exploration activates astrocytes in layer II of the medial entorhinal cortex (MECII). These astrocytic activities, elicited by spatial exploration, integrate visual inputs. The Ca2+ transients in MECII astrocytes, associated with spatial exploration, facilitate both spatial exploratory behaviors and MECII neuronal functions. Our findings establish astrocytic activity as a critical cellular substrate contributing to activity plasticity in MECII neurons and spatial exploratory behaviors. This framework enhances our understanding of astrocyte signaling mechanisms as integral components of cognitive function.
