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한빛사논문

조회371

한국뇌연구원

Nat. Commun., Published: 13 March 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57577-0 Selective regulation of corticostriatal synapses by astrocytic phagocytosis

Ji-young Kim¹, HyeyeonKim^1,2, Won-Suk Chung³ & Hyungju Park¹

¹Research group for Neurovascular Unit, Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu, Republic of Korea.
²Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Republic of Korea.
³Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

Corresponding author
Correspondence to Hyungju Park.

Abstract

In the adult brain, neural circuit homeostasis depends on the constant turnover of synapses via astrocytic phagocytosis mechanisms. However, it remains unclear whether this process occurs in a circuit-specific manner. Here, we reveal that astrocytes target and eliminate specific type of excitatory synapses in the striatum. Using model mice lacking astrocytic phagocytosis receptors in the dorsal striatum, we found that astrocytes constantly remove corticostriatal synapses rather than thalamostriatal synapses. This preferential elimination suggests that astrocytes play a selective role in modulating corticostriatal plasticity and functions via phagocytosis mechanisms. Supporting this notion, corticostriatal long-term potentiation and the early phase of motor skill learning are dependent on astrocytic phagocytic receptors. Together, our findings demonstrate that astrocytes contribute to the connectivity and plasticity of the striatal circuit by preferentially engulfing a specific subset of excitatory synapses within brain regions innervated by multiple excitatory sources.

논문정보

형식Research article
게재일2025년 03월 (BRIC 등록일 2025-03-14)
연구진국내 연구진
분야 생명과학 > 신경생물학

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