Network features of consolidated astrocytic response in modeled ischemia-like conditions in vitro

Capability of astrocytes to regulate metabolic calcium activity without neuronal regulation and achieve a consolidated response is one of the most urgent tasks in modern neuroscience. This work is devoted the role of gap-contact in astrocytic consolidated responses under normal and ischemia-like conditions in vitro. In this study we investigated the cell viability in the postischemic period, main parameters of spontaneous calcium activity and the network characteristics of astrocytic cultures (average number of direct long-distant connections of single astrocyte and the rate of signal delay between astrocytes). Gap19 (100 μM) was used to estimate the role of connexin in the implementation of consolidated astrocytic response. We have shown that the network characteristics of astrocytic cultures are reduced in ischemia-like conditions. At the same time, the separation of astrocytic interactions by connexins 43 blockade can maintain cell viability and dynamic network characteristics in the post-ischemic period.