Stress induces behavioral abnormalities by increasing expression of phagocytic receptor MERTK in astrocytes to promote synapse phagocytosis

Early social deprivation induces synaptic and behavioral deficits by unknown mechanisms. Byun et  al. reveal that stress hormones induce excessive excitatory synapse elimination via the astrocytic GR-MERTK pathway. Ablating GR-MERTK from astrocytes prevents the loss of excitatory synapses, abnormal neuronal firing, and behavioral symptoms in ESD mice, emphasizing the critical roles of astrocyt ic phagocytosis in brain physiology and animal behavior.

Source: Immunity - July 31, 2023 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Youkyeong Gloria Byun, Nam-Shik Kim, Gyuri Kim, Yi-Seon Jeon, Jong Bin Choi, Chan-Woo Park, Kyungdeok Kim, Hyunsoo Jang, Jinkyeong Kim, Eunjoon Kim, Yong-Mahn Han, Ki-Jun Yoon, Seung-Hee Lee, Won-Suk Chung Tags: Article Source Type: research