@article{
author = "Nikolić, Ljiljana and Bataveljić, Danijela B. and Anđus, Pavle R. and Moldovan, Ivana and Nedeljković, Miodrag and Petković, Branka",
year = "2014",
abstract = "Hibernation is a dormant state of some animal species that enables them
to survive harsh environmental conditions during the winter seasons. In
the hibernating state, preservation of neuronal rhythmic activity at a
low level is necessary for maintenance of suspended forms of behavior.
As glial cells support rhythmic activity of neurons, preservation of
brain function in the hibernating state implies accompanying
modification of glial activity. A supportive role of glia in regulating
neuronal activity is reflected through the activity of inwardly
rectifying K+ channels (Kir). Therefore, we examined
electrophysiological response, particularly Kir current response, of
glial cells in mixture with neurons acutely isolated from active and
hibernating land snail Helix pomatia. Our data show that hibernated glia
have significantly lower inward current density, specific membrane
conductance, and conductance density compared with active glia. The
observed reduction could be attributed to the Kir currents, since the
Ba2+-sensitive Kir current density was significantly lower in hibernated
glia. Accordingly, a significant positive shift of the current reversal
potential indicated a more depolarized state of hibernated glia. Data
obtained show that modification of glial current response could be
regulated by serotonin (5-HT) through an increase of cGMP as a secondary
messenger, since extracellular addition of 5-HT or intracellular
administration of cGMP to active glia induced a significant reduction of
inward current density and thus mimicked the reduced response of
hibernated glia. Lower Kir current density of hibernated glia
accompanied the lower electrical activity of hibernated neurons, as
revealed by a decrease in neuronal fast inward Na+ current density. Our
findings reveal that glial response is reduced in the hibernating state
and suggest seasonal modulation of glial activity. Maintenance of low
glial activity in hibernation could be important for preservation of
brain rhythmic activity and survival of the animal.",
publisher = "Sage Publications Inc.",
journal = "Journal of Biological Rhythms",
title = "Modification of Glial Response in Hibernation: A Patch-Clamp Study on
Glial Cells Acutely Isolated from Hibernating Land Snail",
number = "6",
volume = "29",
doi = "10.1177/0748730414559126",
pages = "442-455"
}
