GLIA-GLIA AND GLIA-NEURON INTERACTIONS GROUP
Our group is interested in understanding the role of glial cells in the mammalian central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems (PNS), and the mechanisms by which glial cells and neurons interact to support normal sensory processing and perception. We are developing and using a set of interdisciplinary and complementary tools (electrophysiology, chemogenetics, 2-photon Ca2+ imaging, immunohistochemistry, biochemistry, RNA transcriptomics, and behavior) and approaches to selectively manipulate and monitor glial cell signaling and investigate its effects in synaptic transmission, plasticity, and memory underlying sensory processing. From these studies, we hope to resolve some glial cell functions, and open up entirely new areas of investigation and potential treatments of diseases. Indeed, astrocytes play a major role in many neurological disorders, and it has become clear that sensory perception, notably visual perception, touch and proprioception, are impaired in some of them.
Research topics
- THEME 1: Roles of astrocyte and satellite glial cell signaling in synaptic transmission, plasticity, memory and sensory processing
- THEME 2: Roles of astrocyte signaling and satellite glial cells in neuroinflammation: implications for neurodevelopmental (schizophrenia and autism) and neurodegenerative (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia) disorders
- THEME 3: Astrocytic – microglia interactions
Meeting organization
- 2020 : Création du CAV (Club Autisme, troubles neurodéveloppementaux et Vision)
- Fête de la Science 2020: Conférence en ligne “Autisme et vision” 🌐
- Premières rencontres du CAV (Club Autisme, troubles neurodéveloppementaux et Vision) – Janvier 2021 🌐
- Deuxièmes rencontres du CAV (Club Autisme, troubles neurodéveloppementaux et Vision) – Juin 2021 🌐
- Troisièmes rencontres du CAV (Club Autisme, troubles neurodéveloppementaux et Vision) – Septembre 2021 🌐
- Fête de la Science 2021: Conférence en ligne “Autisme et perception des émotions” 🌐
- Quatrièmes rencontres du CAV (Club Autisme, troubles neurodéveloppementaux et Vision) – Novembre 2021 🌐
TEAM MEMBERS
Permanent researchers

Cendra AGULHON
CR, HDR CNRS
Team leader Deputy director of the Center

Marie PIERON
IR CNRS

Jacques STINNAKRE
DR CNRS
Consultant
Visiting scientists

Nicholas PRIEBE
Invited Pr U.Texas USA
Support staff

Sophie GUINOISEAU
Assistant Engineer
Post docs, PhD and Master students

Baptiste ALLAIN
M2 student

Nolwenn BAYEUX
AI CNRS

Lucile BOYER
M2 student

Florentine JOLY
Intern

Eve MARCOU
Intern

Pauline MERIAU
PhD student

Valentin RITOU
PhD student
︾ SELECTED PUBLICATIONS ︾
Articles
- Rabah Y, Rubino B, Moukarzel E, Agulhon C. Characterization of transgenic mouse lines for selectively targeting satellite glial cells and macrophages in dorsal root ganglia. PLoS One, 2020, 15 (9), pp.e0229475.
- Otsu Y, Darcq E, Pietrajtis K, Mátyás F, Schwartz E, Bessaih T, Abi Gerges S, Rousseau CV, Grand T, Dieudonné S, Paoletti P, Acsády L, Agulhon C, Kieffer BL, Diana MA. Control of aversion by glycine-gated GluN1/GluN3A NMDA receptors in the adult medial habenula. Science, 2019, 366 (6462), pp.250-254.
- Juricek L, Carcaud J, Pelhaitre A, Riday TT, Chevallier A, Lanzini J, Auzeil N, Laprévote O, Dumont F, Jacques S, Letourneur F, Massaad C, Agulhon C, Barouki R, Beraneck M, Coumoul X. AhR-deficiency as a cause of demyelinating disease and inflammation. Sci Rep, 2017, 7 (1), pp.9794.
- Agulhon C, Boyt KM, Xie AX, Friocourt F, Roth BL, McCarthy KD. Modulation of the autonomic nervous system and behaviour by acute glial cell Gq protein-coupled receptor activation in vivo. J Physiol, 2013, 591 (22), pp.5599-609.
- Davila D, Thibault K, Fiacco TA, Agulhon C. Recent molecular approaches to understanding astrocyte function in vivo. Front Cell Neurosci, 2013, 7, pp.272.
- Davila D, Thibault K, Fiacco TA, Agulhon C. Recent molecular approaches to understanding astrocyte function in vivo. Front Cell Neurosci, 2013, 7, pp.272.
- Li D, Agulhon C, Schmidt E, Oheim M, Ropert N. New tools for investigating astrocyte-to-neuron communication. Front Cell Neurosci, 2013.
- Agulhon C, Sun MY, Murphy T, Myers T, Lauderdale K, Fiacco TA. Calcium Signaling and Gliotransmission in Normal vs. Reactive Astrocytes. Front Pharmacol, 2012, 3, pp.139.
- Agulhon C, Fiacco TA, McCarthy KD. Hippocampal short- and long-term plasticity are not modulated by astrocyte Ca2+ signaling. Science, 2010, 327 (5970), pp.1250-4.
- Fiacco TA, Agulhon C, McCarthy KD. Sorting out astrocyte physiology from pharmacology. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol, 2009, 49, pp.151-74.
- Agulhon C, Petravicz J, McMullen AB, Sweger EJ, Minton SK, Taves SR, Casper KB, Fiacco TA, McCarthy KD. What is the role of astrocyte calcium in neurophysiology?. Neuron, 2008, 59 (6), pp.932-46.
- Fiacco TA, Agulhon C, Taves SR, Petravicz J, Casper KB, Dong X, Chen J, McCarthy KD. Selective stimulation of astrocyte calcium in situ does not affect neuronal excitatory synaptic activity. Neuron, 2007, 54 (4), pp.611-26.
- Agulhon C, Platel JC, Kolomiets B, Forster V, Picaud S, Brocard J, Faure P, Brulet P. Bioluminescent imaging of Ca2+ activity reveals spatiotemporal dynamics in glial networks of dark-adapted mouse retina. J Physiol, 2007, 583 (Pt 3), pp.945-58.
- Rogers KL, Stinnakre J, Agulhon C, Jublot D, Shorte SL, Kremer EJ, Brûlet P. Visualization of local Ca2+ dynamics with genetically encoded bioluminescent reporters. Eur J Neurosci, 2005, 21 (3), pp.597-610.
- Agulhon C, Rostaing P, Ravassard P, Sagné C, Triller A, Giros B. Lysosomal amino acid transporter LYAAT-1 in the rat central nervous system: an in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical study. J Comp Neurol, 2003, 462 (1), pp.71-89.
- Sagné C, Agulhon C, Ravassard P, Darmon M, Hamon M, El Mestikawy S, Gasnier B, Giros B. Identification and characterization of a lysosomal transporter for small neutral amino acids. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2001, 98 (13), pp.7206-11.
GLIA-GLIA AND GLIA-NEURON INTERACTIONS GROUP
Our group is interested in understanding the role of glial cells in the mammalian central nervous system and the mechanisms by which glial cells and neurons interact to support normal communication in the CNS. We try to understand the role of glial cells in the mammalian central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems (PNS), and the mechanisms by which glial cells and neurons interact to support normal sensory processing and perception. We are developing and using a set of interdisciplinary and complementary tools (electrophysiology, chemogenetics, 2-photon Ca2+ imaging, immunohistochemistry, biochemistry, and behavior) and approaches to selectively manipulate and monitor glial cell signaling and investigate its effects in synaptic transmission, plasticity, and memory underlying sensory processing. From these studies, we hope to resolve some glial cell functions, and open up entirely new areas of investigation and potential treatments of diseases. Indeed, astrocytes play a major role in many neurological disorders, and it has become clear that sensory perception, notably visual perception, touch and proprioception, are impaired in some of them.
RESEARCH TOPICS ︾
Theme 1: Roles of astrocyte and satellite glial cell signaling in synaptic transmission, plasticity, memory and sensory processing
Theme 2: Roles of astrocyte signaling and satellite glial cells in neuroinflammation: implications for neurodevelopmental (schizophrenia and autism) and neurodegenerative (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia) disorders
Theme 3: Astrocytic – microglia interactions
MEETING ORGANIZATION ︾
- Fête de la Science 2020: Conférence en ligne “Autisme et vision” 🌐
- 2020 : Création du CAV (Club Autisme, troubles neurodéveloppementaux et Vision)
- Fête de la Science 2020: Conférence en ligne “Autisme et vision” 🌐
- Premières rencontres du CAV (Club Autisme, troubles neurodéveloppementaux et Vision) – Janvier 2021 🌐
- Deuxièmes rencontres du CAV (Club Autisme, troubles neurodéveloppementaux et Vision) – Juin 2021 🌐
- Troisièmes rencontres du CAV (Club Autisme, troubles neurodéveloppementaux et Vision) – Septembre 2021 🌐
- Fête de la Science 2021: Conférence en ligne “Autisme et perception des émotions” 🌐
- Quatrièmes rencontres du CAV (Club Autisme, troubles neurodéveloppementaux et Vision) – Novembre 2021 🌐
TEAM MEMBERS
Permanent researchers

Cendra AGULHON
CR CNRS, HDR
Team leader, Deputy director of the Center

Marie PIERON
IR CNRS

Jacques STINNAKRE
DR CNRS, Consultant
Visiting scientists

Nicholas PRIEBE
Invited PR U.Texas USA
Support staff

Sophie GUINOISEAU
Assistant Engineer
Post docs, PhD & Master students

Baptiste ALLAIN
M2 student

Nolwenn BAYEUX
AI CNRS

Lucile BOYER
M2 student

Florentine JOLY
Intern

Eve MARCOU
Intern

Pauline MERIAU
PhD student

Valentin RITOU
PhD student
PUBLICATIONS ︾
Articles
- Rabah Y, Rubino B, Moukarzel E, Agulhon C. Characterization of transgenic mouse lines for selectively targeting satellite glial cells and macrophages in dorsal root ganglia. PLoS One, 2020, 15 (9), pp.e0229475.
- Otsu Y, Darcq E, Pietrajtis K, Mátyás F, Schwartz E, Bessaih T, Abi Gerges S, Rousseau CV, Grand T, Dieudonné S, Paoletti P, Acsády L, Agulhon C, Kieffer BL, Diana MA. Control of aversion by glycine-gated GluN1/GluN3A NMDA receptors in the adult medial habenula. Science, 2019, 366 (6462), pp.250-254.
- Juricek L, Carcaud J, Pelhaitre A, Riday TT, Chevallier A, Lanzini J, Auzeil N, Laprévote O, Dumont F, Jacques S, Letourneur F, Massaad C, Agulhon C, Barouki R, Beraneck M, Coumoul X. AhR-deficiency as a cause of demyelinating disease and inflammation. Sci Rep, 2017, 7 (1), pp.9794.
- Agulhon C, Boyt KM, Xie AX, Friocourt F, Roth BL, McCarthy KD. Modulation of the autonomic nervous system and behaviour by acute glial cell Gq protein-coupled receptor activation in vivo. J Physiol, 2013, 591 (22), pp.5599-609.
- Davila D, Thibault K, Fiacco TA, Agulhon C. Recent molecular approaches to understanding astrocyte function in vivo. Front Cell Neurosci, 2013, 7, pp.272.
- Davila D, Thibault K, Fiacco TA, Agulhon C. Recent molecular approaches to understanding astrocyte function in vivo. Front Cell Neurosci, 2013, 7, pp.272.
- Li D, Agulhon C, Schmidt E, Oheim M, Ropert N. New tools for investigating astrocyte-to-neuron communication. Front Cell Neurosci, 2013.
- Agulhon C, Sun MY, Murphy T, Myers T, Lauderdale K, Fiacco TA. Calcium Signaling and Gliotransmission in Normal vs. Reactive Astrocytes. Front Pharmacol, 2012, 3, pp.139.
- Agulhon C, Fiacco TA, McCarthy KD. Hippocampal short- and long-term plasticity are not modulated by astrocyte Ca2+ signaling. Science, 2010, 327 (5970), pp.1250-4.
- Fiacco TA, Agulhon C, McCarthy KD. Sorting out astrocyte physiology from pharmacology. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol, 2009, 49, pp.151-74.
- Agulhon C, Petravicz J, McMullen AB, Sweger EJ, Minton SK, Taves SR, Casper KB, Fiacco TA, McCarthy KD. What is the role of astrocyte calcium in neurophysiology?. Neuron, 2008, 59 (6), pp.932-46.
- Fiacco TA, Agulhon C, Taves SR, Petravicz J, Casper KB, Dong X, Chen J, McCarthy KD. Selective stimulation of astrocyte calcium in situ does not affect neuronal excitatory synaptic activity. Neuron, 2007, 54 (4), pp.611-26.
- Agulhon C, Platel JC, Kolomiets B, Forster V, Picaud S, Brocard J, Faure P, Brulet P. Bioluminescent imaging of Ca2+ activity reveals spatiotemporal dynamics in glial networks of dark-adapted mouse retina. J Physiol, 2007, 583 (Pt 3), pp.945-58.
- Rogers KL, Stinnakre J, Agulhon C, Jublot D, Shorte SL, Kremer EJ, Brûlet P. Visualization of local Ca2+ dynamics with genetically encoded bioluminescent reporters. Eur J Neurosci, 2005, 21 (3), pp.597-610.
- Agulhon C, Rostaing P, Ravassard P, Sagné C, Triller A, Giros B. Lysosomal amino acid transporter LYAAT-1 in the rat central nervous system: an in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical study. J Comp Neurol, 2003, 462 (1), pp.71-89.
- Sagné C, Agulhon C, Ravassard P, Darmon M, Hamon M, El Mestikawy S, Gasnier B, Giros B. Identification and characterization of a lysosomal transporter for small neutral amino acids. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2001, 98 (13), pp.7206-11.