Lesion-induced changes of electrophysiological properties in astrocytes of the rat dentate gyrus

Reorganization of the adult dentate gyrus following unilateral entorhinal cortex lesion (ECL) is a well-established model for studying mechanisms of trauma-induced neuronal plasticity, The lesion induces deafferentiation of the outer molecular layer, which is accompanied by a strong astroglial reaction. This glial response is thought to contribute to subsequent, repair processes, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study we addressed the question whether denervation leads to modifications in the electrophysiological properties of astrocytes, assuming that such changes might be involved in the remodeling of neural circuitry. Patch-clamp recordings were obtained from astrocytes in the dentate gyrus of adult rats that underwent ECL and compared to corresponding data from control animals. We observed a significant reduction of inward rectifier K+ current densities, a positive shift of resting potentials, and an increase in input resistance in astrocytes of the denervated molecular layer. Current densities were reduced between 6 and 19 days postlesion (dpl), reaching a minimum at 10 dpl. Voltage-gated outward K+ currents were not affected by the lesion. Inward rectifier K+ currents increase with maturation in astrocytes, Thus, our results provide evidence that, following ECL, mature astrocytes dedifferentiated and readapted an immature current pattern. Presumably, these changes lead to stronger and prolonged depolarization of glial cells and neurons in response to activity-dependent K+ release, which in turn might enhance the synthesis of neurotrophic factors and contribute to a permissive environment for neuronal reorganization. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.