Schwann cells and astrocytes induce synapse formation by spinal motor neurons in culture

Mol Cell Neurosci. 2004 Feb;25(2):241-51. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2003.10.011.

Abstract

Glia constitute 90% of cells in the human nervous system, but relatively little is known about their functions. We have been focusing on the potential synaptic roles of glia in the CNS. We recently found that astrocytes increase the number of mature, functional synapses on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) by sevenfold and are required for synaptic maintenance in vitro. These observations raised the question of whether glia similarly enhance synapse formation by other neuron types. Here we have investigated whether highly purified motor neurons isolated from developing rat spinal cords are able to form synapses in the absence of glia or whether glia similarly enhance synapse number. We show that spinal motor neurons (SMNs) form few synapses unless Schwann cells or astrocytes are present. Schwann cells increase the number of functional synapses by ninefold as measured by immunostaining, and increase spontaneous synaptic activity by several hundredfold. Surprisingly, the synapses formed between spinal motor neurons were primarily glutamatergic, as they could be blocked by CNQX. This synapse-promoting activity is not mediated by direct glial-neuronal cell contact but rather is mediated by secreted molecule(s) from the Schwann cells, as we previously found for astrocytes. Interestingly, the synapse-promoting activity from astrocytes and Schwann cells was functionally similar: Schwann cells also promoted synapse formation between retinal ganglion cells, and astrocytes promoted synapse formation between spinal motor neurons. These studies show that both astrocytes and Schwann cells strongly promote synapse formation between spinal motor neurons and demonstrate that glial regulation of synaptogenesis extends to other neuron types.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Cell Communication / drug effects
  • Cell Communication / physiology
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Culture Media, Conditioned / pharmacology
  • Culture Media, Serum-Free / pharmacology
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / drug effects
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology
  • Motor Neurons / cytology*
  • Motor Neurons / drug effects
  • Nerve Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Glutamate / drug effects
  • Receptors, Glutamate / metabolism
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / cytology
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / drug effects
  • Schwann Cells / metabolism*
  • Spinal Cord / cytology*
  • Spinal Cord / growth & development*
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism
  • Synapses / drug effects
  • Synapses / ultrastructure*
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology

Substances

  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • Culture Media, Serum-Free
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Receptors, Glutamate