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Astroglial nuclear factor‐κB regulates learning and memory and synaptic plasticity in female mice
Author(s) -
BracchiRicard Valerie,
Brambilla Roberta,
Levenson Jonathan,
Hu WenHui,
Bramwell Annmarie,
Sweatt J. David,
Green Edward J.,
Bethea John R.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.04993.x
Subject(s) - synaptic plasticity , neuroscience , neuroplasticity , plasticity , nonsynaptic plasticity , metaplasticity , psychology , biology , physics , biochemistry , receptor , thermodynamics
Astrocytes play a pivotal role in regulating synaptic plasticity and synapse formation. The nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) family of transcription factors has recently been demonstrated to be an important modulator of synaptic plasticity and learning/memory. In this study, we investigated the role of astroglial NF‐κB in synaptic plasticity and learning/memory using transgenic mice over‐expressing an N‐terminal truncated form of inhibitor of NF‐κB alpha (IκBα) in astrocytes (GFAP‐IκΒα‐dn). We demonstrated that female transgenic mice, but not males, have robust deficits in hippocampal and extra‐hippocampal‐dependent learning and memory. We also determined that there are significant deficits in LTP and expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 and post‐synaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) in female transgenic mice. These findings indicate that astroglial NF‐κB is an important regulator of learning/memory and synaptic plasticity.