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

Abstract

Astrocytes crucially contribute to synaptic physiology and information processing. One of their key characteristics is to express high levels of connexins (Cxs), the gap junction–forming protein. Among them, Cx30 displays specific properties since it is postnatally expressed and dynamically upregulated by neuronal activity and modulates cognitive processes by shaping synaptic and network activities, as recently shown in knockout mice. However, it remains unknown whether local and selective upregulation of Cx30 in postnatal astrocytes within a physiological range modulates neuronal activities in the hippocampus. We here show in mice that, whereas Cx30 upregulation increases the connectivity of astroglial networks, it decreases spontaneous and evoked synaptic transmission. This effect results from a reduced neuronal excitability and translates into an alteration in the induction of synaptic plasticity and an in vivo impairment in learning processes. Altogether, these results suggest that astroglial networks have a physiologically optimized size to appropriately regulate neuronal functions. Upregulation of connexin 30 (Cx30) in astrocytes increases the connectivity of astroglial networks, but decreases spontaneous and evoked synaptic transmission, altering the induction of synaptic plasticity and in vivo learning processes, and suggesting that astroglial networks may have a physiologically optimized size to appropriately regulate neuronal functions.