A Computational Model of Interactions Between Neuronal and Astrocytic Networks: The Role of Astrocytes in the Stability of the Neuronal Firing Rate

Kerstin Lenk*, Eero Satuvuori, Jules Lallouette, Antonio Ladrón-de-Guevara, Hugues Berry, Jari A.K. Hyttinen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Recent research in neuroscience indicates the importance of tripartite synapses and gliotransmission mediated by astrocytes in neuronal system modulation. Although the astrocyte and neuronal network functions are interrelated, they are fundamentally different in their signaling patterns and, possibly, the time scales at which they operate. However, the exact nature of gliotransmission and the effect of the tripartite synapse function at the network level are currently elusive. In this paper, we propose a computational model of interactions between an astrocyte network and a neuron network, starting from tripartite synapses and spanning to a joint network level. Our model focuses on a two-dimensional setup emulating a mixed in vitro neuron-astrocyte cell culture. The model depicts astrocyte-released gliotransmitters exerting opposing effects on the neurons: increasing the release probability of the presynaptic neuron while hyperpolarizing the post-synaptic one at a longer time scale. We simulated the joint networks with various levels of astrocyte contributions and neuronal activity levels. Our results indicate that astrocytes prolong the burst duration of neurons, while restricting hyperactivity. Thus, in our model, the effect of astrocytes is homeostatic; the firing rate of the network stabilizes to an intermediate level independently of neuronal base activity. Our computational model highlights the plausible roles of astrocytes in interconnected astrocytic and neuronal networks. Our simulations support recent findings in neurons and astrocytes in vivo and in vitro suggesting that astrocytic networks provide a modulatory role in the bursting of the neuronal network.

Original languageEnglish
Article number92
Pages (from-to)1-19
Number of pages19
JournalFrontiers in Computational Neuroscience
Volume13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Jan 2020

Funding

The authors thank Barbara Genocchi for her valuable comments on the manuscript. Funding. The research of KL, ES, and JH was supported by the 3DNeuroN project in the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme, Future and Emerging Technologies (grant agreement no 296590) and TEKES?the Finnish funding agency for innovation (Human Spare Part 2 Project). KL was funded by the Academy of Finland (decision nos. 314647, 326452). ES's project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement (No. 642563).

FundersFunder number
European Union's Seventh Framework Programme, Future and Emerging Technologies
European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme, Future and Emerging Technologies
Marie Sklodowska-Curie
TEKES?the Finnish funding agency for innovation
TEKES—the Finnish funding agency for innovation
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
Seventh Framework Programme296590, 642563
Academy of Finland314647, 326452

    Keywords

    • astrocyte
    • calcium signaling
    • gliotransmission
    • network
    • neuron
    • simulation

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