【正文】
in gray matter, short many processes (Type 1) – Fibrous in white matter, few but long processes (type 2) Astrocyte Functions ? Ion, water homeostasis ? Neurotr. homeostasis – Also receptors for Nts – Provide precursors for Nts – Remove excitotoxic Nts ? Cellular mun. (Ca waves) ? Energy metab ? Detox and injury responses ? Neurotrophic ? Immune Function Astrocyte Injury responses ? Proliferation, hypertrophy ? Swelling (cranial pressure) – Release glutamate ? GFAP increases ? Profusion of processes (gliosis) Astrocytes in immune disorders ? MS: “sclerosis” is gliosis ? EAE: reactive astrocytes ? HIV: astrocytes may increase HIV replication in microglia Immune Factors Produced by Astrocytes ? MHC I ? MHC II ? IL1 ? TNF ? TGF ? CSF ? ICAM ? Complement C3fB Astrocyes respond to ? IL1 ? IL1 ? IFN ? TNF ? LPS ? TGF Regional diffs in Astrocytes ? Vary in abiltiy to take up glu and 5HT ? vary in presence of Nt receptors ? neurotrophic effects Astrocytes as APC? ? Only appear to function as APC in vitro, not in vivo ? Nts appear to downregulate MHC responses ? “In essence, therefore there is no evidence…” p 378