Abstract
Chloride channels are important for astrocytic volume regulation and K + buffering. We demonstrate functional expression of a hyperpolarization-activated Cl − current in a subpopulation of astrocytes in acute slices or after fresh isolation from adult brain of GFAP/EGFP transgenic animals in which astrocytes are selectively labeled. When Na + and K + were substituted with NMDG + and Cs + in extra- and intracellular solutions, an inward current was observed at negative membrane potentials. The current displayed features as described for a Cl − current characterized in cultured astrocytes: it activated time dependently at potentials negative to −40 mV, displayed no inactivation within 1 s, and was inhibited reversibly by submicromolar concentrations of Cd 2+. The current was not detectable in astrocytes from ClC-2 knockout mice, indicating that the ClC-2 chloride channel generated the conductance. Current density was significantly lower in a corresponding population of astrocytes isolated from immature brain and in reactive astrocytes within a lesion site.
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