Three-dimensional structural reconstruction of the neurons and astrocytes in rat hippocampal CA3 area

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To observe the distribution of the pyramidal neurons and the surrounding astrocytes in rat hippocampal CA3 area and reconstruct their three-dimension structure. Methods Whole-cell patch-clamp recording of the brain slices, intracellular staining with Lucifer yellow, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunofluorescence, and confocal laser scanning microscopy were utilized in this study. Results According to the firing patterns, the hippocampal pyramidal neurons were classified into phasic or non-phasic firing neurons. Monolayer scanning and three-dimensional reconstruction showed that many astrocytes aggregated in tight clusters around the pyramidal neurons positive for Lucifer yellow staining, forming close contact. The two types of neurons contacted the astrocytes in different manners. Surrounding the cell body and dendrites of the non-phasic firing neurons, many astrocytes were seen to form contact with the neurons, whereas the phasic firing neurons formed contact with the astrocytes through the dendrites. Conclusion The spatial distribution of the astrocytes surrounding different types of the hippocampal neurons may differ.

CLC Number:

R322.81

YANG Zhi-jun¹, RAO Zhi-ren², XU Ru-xiang¹, WEI Ling³, WANG Xiao-bin², JIANG Xiao-dan¹. Three-dimensional structural reconstruction of the neurons and astrocytes in rat hippocampal CA3 area[J]. Journal of Southern Medical University, 2004, 24(04): 426-429.

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