"Cajal cell" redirects here. For the cell in the gastrointestinal tract, see Interstitial cell of Cajal.
Astrocyte
An astrocyte from a rat brain grown in tissue culture and stained with antibodies to GFAP (red) and vimentin (green). Both proteins are present in large amounts in the intermediate filaments of this cell, so the cell appears yellow. The blue material shows DNA visualized with DAPI stain, and reveals the nucleus of the astrocyte and of other cells. Image courtesy of EnCor Biotechnology Inc.
Details
Precursor
Glioblast
Location
Brain and spinal cord
Identifiers
Latin
astrocytus
MeSH
D001253
NeuroLex ID
sao1394521419
TH
H2.00.06.2.00002, H2.00.06.2.01008
FMA
54537
Anatomical terms of microanatomy
[edit on Wikidata]
Astrocytes (from Ancient Greek ἄστρον, ástron, "star" and κύτος, kútos, "cavity", "cell"), also known collectively as astroglia, are characteristic star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord. They perform many functions, including biochemical control of endothelial cells that form the blood–brain barrier,[1] provision of nutrients to the nervous tissue, maintenance of extracellular ion balance, regulation of cerebral blood flow, and a role in the repair and scarring process of the brain and spinal cord following infection and traumatic injuries.[2] The proportion of astrocytes in the brain is not well defined; depending on the counting technique used, studies have found that the astrocyte proportion varies by region and ranges from 20% to around 40% of all glia.[3] Another study reports that astrocytes are the most numerous cell type in the brain.[2] Astrocytes are the major source of cholesterol in the central nervous system.[4] Apolipoprotein E transports cholesterol from astrocytes to neurons and other glial cells, regulating cell signaling in the brain.[4] Astrocytes in humans are more than twenty times larger than in rodent brains, and make contact with more than ten times the number of synapses.[5]
Research since the mid-1990s has shown that astrocytes propagate intercellular Ca2+ waves over long distances in response to stimulation, and, similar to neurons, release transmitters (called gliotransmitters) in a Ca2+-dependent manner.[6] Data suggest that astrocytes also signal to neurons through Ca2+-dependent release of glutamate.[7] Such discoveries have made astrocytes an important area of research within the field of neuroscience.
^Suzuki, Yasuhiro; Sa, Qila; Ochiai, Eri; Mullins, Jeremi; Yolken, Robert; Halonen, Sandra K. (2014). "Cerebral Toxoplasmosis". Toxoplasma Gondii. Elsevier. pp. 755–796. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-396481-6.00023-4. ISBN 978-0-12-396481-6. Astrocytes are the dominant glial cell in the brain and numerous studies indicate they are central to the intracerebral immune response to T. gondii in the brain.
^ abFreeman, MR; Rowitch, DH (30 October 2013). "Evolving concepts of gliogenesis: a look way back and ahead to the next 25 years". Neuron. 80 (3): 613–23. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2013.10.034. PMC 5221505. PMID 24183014.
^Verkhratsky A, Butt AM (2013). "Numbers: how many glial cells are in the brain?". Glial Physiology and Pathophysiology. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 93–96. ISBN 978-0-470-97853-5.
^ abWang, Hao; Kulas, Joshua A.; Ferris, Heather A.; Hansen, Scott B. (2020-10-14). "Regulation of beta-amyloid production in neurons by astrocyte-derived cholesterol". bioRxiv: 2020.06.18.159632. doi:10.1101/2020.06.18.159632. S2CID 220044671.
^Cite error: The named reference Sloan was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"Role of Astrocytes in the Central Nervous System". Retrieved 27 July 2018.
^Fiacco TA, Agulhon C, McCarthy KD (October 2008). "Sorting out astrocyte physiology from pharmacology". Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology. 49 (1): 151–74. doi:10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.011008.145602. PMID 18834310.
Astrocytes (from Ancient Greek ἄστρον, ástron, "star" and κύτος, kútos, "cavity", "cell"), also known collectively as astroglia, are characteristic star-shaped...
In the central nervous system, glial cells include oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, ependymal cells and microglia, and in the peripheral nervous system they...
to as reactive astrogliosis) is an abnormal increase in the number of astrocytes due to the destruction of nearby neurons from central nervous system (CNS)...
type II astrocyte is thought to be a pathological type of cell in the brain; however, its exact pathology remains unknown. Like other astrocytes, it is...
proliferation or hypertrophy of several different types of glial cells, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. In its most extreme form, the proliferation...
briefly discussed below. Reactive astrocytes are the main cellular component of the glial scar. After injury, astrocytes undergo morphological changes, extend...
are grouped into macroglia of astrocytes, ependymal cells, and oligodendrocytes, and much smaller microglia. Astrocytes are seen to be capable of communication...
including oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglia, they are primarily released from astrocytes.[citation needed] Astrocytes rely on gap junctions for...
and her lab focuses on exploring the role of glial cells, specifically astrocytes, in synaptic development and connectivity. Eroglu was born in Turkey and...
The glia limitans, or the glial limiting membrane, is a thin barrier of astrocyte foot processes associated with the parenchymal basal lamina surrounding...
cells, and neuroglial cells. Four types of neuroglia found in the CNS are astrocytes, microglial cells, ependymal cells, and oligodendrocytes. Two types of...
by numerous cell types of the central nervous system (CNS), including astrocytes and ependymal cells during development. GFAP has also been found to be...
cells and blood vessels. The neurovascular unit consists of neurons, astrocytes, vasculature (endothelial and vascular mural cells), the vasomotor apparatus...
Alliance for Brain Initiatives in 2016. His interests are in ion channels, astrocyte-neuron glutamate-mediated signaling, synaptic function and Glial biology...
plexus, and aquaporin-4 (AQP4), which is expressed by astrocytes. Aquaporin-4 expression in astrocytes is highly polarized to the endfoot processes ensheathing...
towards astrocyte-inducing stimulations. The neural stem cells are non-responsive due to hypermethylated DNA in the promoter regions of astrocyte genes...
constantly, cerebral blood flow is essential for the maintenance of neurons, astrocytes, and other cells of the brain. This coupling between neuronal activity...
formation of Rosenthal fibers—abnormal clumps of protein that accumulate in astrocytes in the brain. The disease occurs in both males and females, and no ethnic...
for the role of astrocytes in the integration and processing of synaptic integration presents itself in a number of ways: Astrocytes are excitable cells:...
bound to manganese metalloproteins, most notably glutamine synthetase in astrocytes. It is familiar in the laboratory in the form of the deep violet salt...
UC San Francisco. Her lab currently studies the communication between astrocytes, microglia, and neurons to understand how these signals regulate synaptic...
jem-ISS-tə-syte; from Greek γέμιζω (gemizo) 'to fill up') is a swollen, reactive astrocyte. Gemistocytes are glial cells that are characterized by billowing, eosinophilic...
intermediate neuronal precursors (INPs), subventricular zone astrocytes, and subgranular zone radial astrocytes, among others. Neurogenesis is most active during...
at least partially, by the processes of another type of glial cell the astrocyte.[citation needed] Functionally equivalent myelin-like sheaths are found...
has been shown to activate TAAR1 in human astrocytes and generate cAMP as a result. Activation of astrocyte-localized TAAR1 appears to function as a mechanism...
of PIP2. This effect was observed with phospholipase D. In the brain, astrocytes make the cholesterol and transport it to nerves to control their function...
genes controlling expression of glial and immune cells in the brain, e.g. astrocytes and microglia, respectively, are over-expressed, which correlates with...
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