preprints.org > biology and life sciences > neuroscience and neurology > doi: 10.20944/preprints202310.0779.v1

Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 11 October 2023 / Approved: 12 October 2023 / Online: 12 October 2023 (05:37:11 CEST)

Astrocytes are morphological intricate cells and actively modulate the function of the brain. Through the numerous fine processes, astrocytes contact with neurons, blood vessels and other glia cells. Emerging evidence have shown that astrocytes exhibit brain-regional diversity in the morphology, transcriptome, calcium signaling and functions. However, little is known about the brain regional heterogeneity of astrocyte-astrocyte structural interaction. So far, the visualization and characterization of the morphological features for the adjacent astrocytes with high resolution has been difficult, and as a result, it is still well accepted that astrocytes in the adult brain share non-overlapped territory. In contrast, by using an approach that combines sparse viral labeling with dual-fluorescent dyes, which allows for efficient and specific labeling of adjacent astrocytes, thus enabling a comprehensive visualization of their fine processes and the degree of their territorial overlap. Our study in the hypothalamic regions revealed a marked spatial overlap among adjacent astrocytes. Additionally, we revealed the heterogeneity of astrocyte-neuron ratio across brain regions, and conducted an assessment of the photostability and labeling efficiency of fluorescent dyes used for labeling adjacent astrocytes. Our study here provides new insights for studying the morphological heterogeneity of astrocytes across the central nervous system.

astrocyte-astrocyte interaction; morphology; territory; iontophoresis

Biology and Life Sciences, Neuroscience and Neurology

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