15-hydroxy-11-alpha-9-alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5-13-dienoic-acid and 6-methyl-2-(phenylethynyl)pyridine

Neuronal activity in the brain is thought to be coupled to cerebral arterioles (functional hyperemia) through Ca2+ signals in astrocytes. Although functional hyperemia occurs rapidly, within seconds, such rapid signaling has not been demonstrated in situ, and Ca2+ measurements in parenchymal arterioles are still lacking. Using a laser scanning confocal microscope and fluorescence Ca2+ indicators, we provide the first evidence that in a brain slice preparation, increased neuronal activity by electrical stimulation (ES) is rapidly signaled, within seconds, to cerebral arterioles and is associated with astrocytic Ca2+ waves. Smooth muscle cells in parenchymal arterioles exhibited Ca2+ and diameter oscillations ("vasomotion") that were rapidly suppressed by ES. The neuronal-mediated Ca2+ rise in cortical astrocytes was dependent on intracellular (inositol trisphosphate [IP3]) and extracellular voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel sources. The Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin prevented the rise in astrocytic [Ca2+]i and the suppression of Ca2+ oscillations in parenchymal arterioles to ES, indicating that neuronal activity was necessary for both events. Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors in astrocytes significantly decreased the frequency of Ca2+ oscillations in parenchymal arterioles. This study supports the concept that astrocytic Ca2+ changes signal the cerebral microvasculature and indicate the novel concept that this communication occurs through the suppression of arteriolar [Ca2+]i oscillations and corresponding vasomotion. The full text of this article is available online at http://circres.ahajournals.org.

Topics: 15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid; Animals; Arterioles; Astrocytes; Boron Compounds; Calcium Channels; Calcium Signaling; Cerebral Cortex; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Cycloleucine; Electric Stimulation; Hyperemia; In Vitro Techniques; Indans; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; Microscopy, Video; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Neurons; Nifedipine; Pyridines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; Sodium Channel Blockers; Sodium Channels; Synaptic Transmission; Tetrodotoxin