Calcium influx into astrocytes plays a pivotal role in inflammation-driven behaviors

Sistemic inflammation can trigger astrogliosis, which in turn modulates the neuronal activity underlying depressive behaviors. Injury or infection can induce systemic inflammation. Under certain conditions, this peripheral inflammation promotes astrogliosis, which is activated through Orai1 calcium channel-dependent store-operated calcium entry (SOCE). Reactive astrocytes increase the frequency of their calcium oscillations. Astrocytes regulate neuronal activity and, when activated, reduces the frequency of spontaneous postsynaptic currents in neurons of the hippocampus leading to depression-like behaviors. Selective delection of Orai1 in astrocytes prevents SOCE and astrogliosis, preserving spontaneous neuronal activity and animal behavior.