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Adolescent ethanol intake alters cannabinoid type‐1 receptor localization in astrocytes of the adult mouse hippocampus
Author(s) -
BonillaDel Rίo Itziar,
Puente Nagore,
Peñasco Sara,
Rico Irantzu,
GutiérrezRodrίguez Ana,
Elezgarai Izaskun,
Ramos Almudena,
Reguero Leire,
Gerrikagoitia Inmaculada,
Christie Brian R.,
Nahirney Patrick,
Grandes Pedro
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
addiction biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.445
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1369-1600
pISSN - 1355-6215
DOI - 10.1111/adb.12585
Subject(s) - astrocyte , endocrinology , receptor , medicine , hippocampal formation , hippocampus , cannabinoid , astrogliosis , biology , neurotransmission , cannabinoid receptor , chemistry , central nervous system , agonist
Cannabinoid type‐1 (CB 1 ) receptors are widely distributed in the brain and play important roles in astrocyte function and the modulation of neuronal synaptic transmission and plasticity. However, it is currently unknown how CB 1 receptor expression in astrocytes is affected by long‐term exposure to stressors. Here we examined CB 1 receptors in astrocytes of ethanol (EtOH)‐exposed adolescent mice to determine its effect on CB 1 receptor localization and density in adult brain. 4–8‐week‐old male mice were exposed to 20 percent EtOH over a period of 4 weeks, and receptor localization was examined after 4 weeks in the hippocampal CA1 stratum radiatum by pre‐embedding immunoelectron microscopy. Our results revealed a significant reduction in CB 1 receptor immunoparticles in astrocytic processes of EtOH‐exposed mice when compared with controls (positive astrocyte elements: 21.50 ± 2.80 percent versus 37.22 ± 3.12 percent, respectively), as well as a reduction in particle density (0.24 ± 0.02 versus 0.35 ± 0.02 particles/μm). The majority of CB 1 receptor metal particles were in the range of 400–1200 nm from synaptic terminals in both control and EtOH. Altogether, the decrease in the CB 1 receptor expression in hippocampal astrocytes of adult mice exposed to EtOH during adolescence reveals a long lasting effect of EtOH on astrocytic CB 1 receptors. This deficiency may also have negative consequences for synaptic function.