A Brain-Wide Atlas of Astrocytic Oxytocin Receptors Reveals a Glial Basis for Nucleus Accumbens Modulation of Affiliative Behavior.

Fiche publication

Date publication

juin 2026

Journal

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)

Auteurs

Membres identifiés du Cancéropôle Est :
Dr KREMER Mélanie

Tous les auteurs :
Denis C, Stojilkovic S, Wang KY, Márquez C, Kleinwächter AC, Baudon A, Podpecan Y, Ces A, Kremer M, Arnoux I, Rouach N, Helen J, Trender S, Wallkum A, Wunsch S, Schommer F, Wimmer MC, Schubert T, Franke F, Muhammad JA, Eisemann EM, Possa-Paranhos IC, Baumann C, Derrien PA, Krabichler Q, Garcia C, Fröhlich H, Kirchner MK, Grinevich V, Darbon P, Stern JE, Althammer F, Charlet A

Lien Pubmed

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42237738

Résumé

Until recently, it was widely assumed that oxytocin signaling occurred exclusively through the activation of neuronal oxytocin receptors, with neurons being the primary targets of released oxytocin. However, this view was challenged by the discovery of functional oxytocin receptors in central amygdala astrocytes, which are essential for the proper function of local neuronal microcircuits. Since then, astrocytic oxytocin receptors have been implicated in various aspects of rodent physiology and behavior, yet it remains unclear whether this mechanism is region-specific or widespread across the brain. Here, we provide extensive anatomical data on oxytocin receptor expression in mice and rats, functionally validated through calcium imaging. Based on this mapping and using genetic, calcium imaging and behavioral approaches, we further demonstrate a critical role for oxytocin receptor-expressing astrocytes in the nucleus accumbens in social behavior. In summary, our findings demonstrate that oxytocin receptors are widely expressed in astrocytes across different brain regions. In the nucleus accumbens, these receptors modulate social behavior-an observation with significant implications for the current model of oxytocinergic modulation in the brain.