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Ependymocytes and supra‐ependymal axons in rat brain contain glutamate
Author(s) -
Robinson Stephen R.,
Noone Danielle F.,
O'Dowd Brona S.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-1136(199608)17:4<345::aid-glia9>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - ependymal cell , biology , neuroscience , glutamatergic , glutamate receptor , immunocytochemistry , cilium , ependyma , lateral ventricles , serotonergic , glutaminase , microbiology and biotechnology , serotonin , central nervous system , biochemistry , endocrinology , receptor
The cilated ependymocytes that line the ventricles are decorated by a network of serotoninergic supra‐ependymal axons, which are thought to regulate their function. The neurones of origin contain both serotonin and phosphate‐activated glutaminase, which raises the possibility that the supra‐ependymal axons are also glutamatergic. Using immunocytochemistry, the present study has demonstrated the presence of glutamate in many supra‐ependymal axons, as well as in the cilia of ependymocytes. We suggest that glutamate in supra‐ependymal axons, counterbalances or opposes the action elicited by serotonin. Glutamate taken up by ependymocytes may supplement metabolic pathways in these cells and could be used to fuel the high energy demands of their cilia.