Fig. 2.

Optogenetic stimulation of RVLM astrocytes triggers ATP-dependent excitation of presympathetic C1 neurones. a Traces illustrate changes in membrane potential of two different C1 neurones from separate organotypic slices illustrating their responses to light activation of adjacent ChR2(H134R)-expressing astrocytes in the absence and presence of ATP diphosphohydrolase (apyrase, 25 U ml⁻¹). Stimulation of astrocytes with flashing blue light (470 nm, 20/20 ms duty cycle for 120 s) led to depolarisation and firing of action potentials in C1 neurones. This effect was blocked in the presence of apyrase. Note that action potentials are truncated to illustrate changes in membrane potential. b Effects of apyrase and MRS2179 (10 μM) on changes in membrane potential of C1 neurones evoked by optogenetic stimulation of neighbouring astrocytes. Group data are shown as mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05