Astrocytes phagocytose adult hippocampal synapses for circuit homeostasis

In adult mice, astrocytes carry out phagocytosis of excitatory hippocampal synapses through MEGF10 to maintain synaptic and circuit homeostasis. In the adult hippocampus, synapses are constantly formed and eliminated(1,2). However, the exact function of synapse elimination in the adult brain, and how it is regulated, are largely unknown. Here we show that astrocytic phagocytosis(3) is important for maintaining proper hippocampal synaptic connectivity and plasticity. By using fluorescent phagocytosis reporters, we find that excitatory and inhibitory synapses are eliminated by glial phagocytosis in the CA1 region of the adult mouse hippocampus. Unexpectedly, we found that astrocytes have a major role in the neuronal activity-dependent elimination of excitatory synapses. Furthermore, mice in which astrocytes lack the phagocytic receptor MEGF10 show a reduction in the elimination of excitatory synapses; as a result, excessive but functionally impaired synapses accumulate. Finally, Megf10-knockout mice show defective long-term synaptic plasticity and impaired formation of hippocampal memories. Together, our data provide strong evidence that astrocytes eliminate unnecessary excitatory synaptic connections in the adult hippocampus through MEGF10, and that this astrocytic function is crucial for maintaining circuit connectivity and thereby supporting cognitive function.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that astrocytes in the adult hippocampus carry out phagocytosis through MEGF10 to maintain proper synaptic connectivity and plasticity. The findings reveal the crucial role of astrocytes in the activity-dependent elimination of excitatory synapses, highlighting the importance of this astrocytic function in supporting cognitive function.