Open AccessChemogenetic stimulation of the G i pathway in astrocytes suppresses neuroinflammation
Author(s) -
Kim JaeHong,
Rahman Md Habibur,
Lee Won Ha,
Suk Kyoungho
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pharmacology research and perspectives
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.975
H-Index - 27
ISSN - 2052-1707
DOI - 10.1002/prp2.822
Subject(s) - neuroinflammation , astrocyte , stimulation , neuroscience , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , signal transduction , proinflammatory cytokine , nitric oxide , pharmacology , biology , chemistry , inflammation , medicine , endocrinology , immunology , central nervous system
Engineered G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are commonly used in chemogenetics as designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs). Although several GPCRs have been studied in astrocytes using a chemogenetic approach, the functional role of the astrocytic G i pathway is not clear, as the literature is conflicting depending on the brain regions or behaviors investigated. In this study, we evaluated the role of the astrocytic G i pathway in neuroinflammation using a G i ‐coupled DREADD (hM4Di). G i ‐DREADD was expressed in hippocampal astrocytes of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced neuroinflammation mouse model using adeno‐associated viruses. We found that astrocyte G i ‐DREADD stimulation using clozapine N‐oxide (CNO) inhibits neuroinflammation, as characterized by decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines, glial activation, and cognitive impairment in mice. Subsequent experiments using primary astrocyte cultures revealed that G i ‐DREADD stimulation significantly downregulated LPS‐induced expression of Nos2 mRNA and nitric oxide production. Similarly, in vitro calcium imaging showed that activation of the astrocytic G i pathway attenuated intracellular calcium transients triggered by LPS treatment, suggesting a positive correlation between enhanced calcium transients and the inflammatory phenotype of astrocytes observed in the inflamed brain. Taken together, our results indicate that the astrocytic G i pathway plays an inhibitory role in neuroinflammation, providing an opportunity to identify potential cellular and molecular targets to control neuroinflammation.