A phosphoinositide-linked peptide response in astrocytes: Evidence for regional heterogeneity

Abstract
A phosphoinositide-linked peptide response in cultured rat astrocytes was studied by measuring the accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates in the presence of lithium. Cultures derived from cortex, cerebellum and spinal cord each showed a unique pattern or degree of stimulation to a panel of neuropeptides. Cortical and cerebellar astrocytes were similar, responding to bradykinin, oxytocin, vasopressin, eledoisin and neurokinin β, whereas spinal cord astrocytes were stimulated by substance P, bradykinin, eledoisin, and neurokinins α and β. These observations are evidence in favour of regional specialisations of astrocytes which may respond uniquely to peptidesreleased by particular populations of neurons.