Publication
Title
The effect of pharmacological inhibition of Serine Proteases on neuronal networks in vitro
Author
Abstract
Neurons are embedded in an extracellular matrix (ECM), which functions both as a scaffold and as a regulator of neuronal function. The ECM is in turn dynamically altered through the action of serine proteases, which break down its constituents. This pathway has been implicated in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and of neuronal intrinsic excitability. In this study, we determined the short-term effects of interfering with proteolytic processes in the ECM, with a newly developed serine protease inhibitor. We monitored the spontaneous electrophysiological activity of in vitro primary rat cortical cultures, using microelectrode arrays. While pharmacological inhibition at a low dosage had no significant effect, at elevated concentrations it altered significantly network synchronization and functional connectivity but left unaltered single-cell electrical properties. These results suggest that serine protease inhibition affects synaptic properties, likely through its actions on the ECM.
Language
English
Source (journal)
PeerJ
Publication
2019
ISSN
2167-8359
DOI
10.7717/PEERJ.6796
Volume/pages
7 (2019) , p. 1-23
Article Reference
e6796
ISI
000465195300007
Pubmed ID
31065460
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
The Extracellular Matrix in Epileptogenesis (ECMED).
Human Brain Project Specific Grant Agreement 2 (HBP SGA2).
A collaborative training program to develop multi-electrode array (MEA) platforms to understand synaptic function and treat diseases of the nervous system (NEUROACT).
Exploring the neural coding in behaving animals by novel optogenetic, high-density microrecordings and computational approaches: Towards cognitive Brain-Computer Interfaces (ENLIGHTENMENT).
INFLA-MED - Fundamental research in the pathophysiological processes of inflammatory diseases.
Brain stimulation in the age of "light": Controlling and steering cortical cellular electrophysiology for future smart neuroprosthetics employing Optogenetics.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 05.06.2019
Last edited 17.12.2024
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