Subtype specific roles of serotonin receptors in the spine formation of cortical neurons in vitro

Dendritic spines are postsynaptic structures which are formed from filopodia. We examined roles of serotonin (5-HT) receptors in the spine formation. Embryonic rat cortical neurons were cultured for 10 or 14 days and treated by 5-HT receptor agonists for 24 h. At 11 days in vitro, 5-HT1A agonist increased filopodia density, whereas 5-HT2A/2C agonist increased the density of puncta and spines. At 15 days in vitro, 5-HT1A ago nist decreased the density of puncta and spines, whereas 5-HT2A/2C agonist decreased filopodia density with increase of spines. In conclusion, the present study shows 5-HT receptors have subtype-specific effects on the spine formation. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd and the Japan Neuroscience Society. All rights reserved.