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Astrocytes monitor cerebral perfusion and control systemic circulation to maintain brain blood flow

Author

Listed:
  • Nephtali Marina

    (University College London
    University College London)

  • Isabel N. Christie

    (University College London)

  • Alla Korsak

    (University College London)

  • Maxim Doronin

    (University College London
    Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Alexey Brazhe

    (Lomonosov Moscow State University)

  • Patrick S. Hosford

    (University College London)

  • Jack A. Wells

    (University College London)

  • Shahriar Sheikhbahaei

    (University College London)

  • Ibrahim Humoud

    (University College London)

  • Julian F. R. Paton

    (University of Auckland)

  • Mark F. Lythgoe

    (University College London)

  • Alexey Semyanov

    (Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Sergey Kasparov

    (University of Bristol
    Baltic Federal University)

  • Alexander V. Gourine

    (University College London)

Abstract

Astrocytes provide neurons with essential metabolic and structural support, modulate neuronal circuit activity and may also function as versatile surveyors of brain milieu, tuned to sense conditions of potential metabolic insufficiency. Here we show that astrocytes detect falling cerebral perfusion pressure and activate CNS autonomic sympathetic control circuits to increase systemic arterial blood pressure and heart rate with the purpose of maintaining brain blood flow and oxygen delivery. Studies conducted in experimental animals (laboratory rats) show that astrocytes respond to acute decreases in brain perfusion with elevations in intracellular [Ca2+]. Blockade of Ca2+-dependent signaling mechanisms in populations of astrocytes that reside alongside CNS sympathetic control circuits prevents compensatory increases in sympathetic nerve activity, heart rate and arterial blood pressure induced by reductions in cerebral perfusion. These data suggest that astrocytes function as intracranial baroreceptors and play an important role in homeostatic control of arterial blood pressure and brain blood flow.

Suggested Citation

  • Nephtali Marina & Isabel N. Christie & Alla Korsak & Maxim Doronin & Alexey Brazhe & Patrick S. Hosford & Jack A. Wells & Shahriar Sheikhbahaei & Ibrahim Humoud & Julian F. R. Paton & Mark F. Lythgoe , 2020. "Astrocytes monitor cerebral perfusion and control systemic circulation to maintain brain blood flow," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-13956-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13956-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Adam Institoris & Milène Vandal & Govind Peringod & Christy Catalano & Cam Ha Tran & Xinzhu Yu & Frank Visser & Cheryl Breiteneder & Leonardo Molina & Baljit S. Khakh & Minh Dang Nguyen & Roger J. Tho, 2022. "Astrocytes amplify neurovascular coupling to sustained activation of neocortex in awake mice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.

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