Astrocytes

Changed by Frank Gaillard, 4 Mar 2017

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Astrocytes are cells of the central nervous system which act as both physical and physiological support for the neurones that are embedded between them. They are particularly abundant in the grey matter, where they are the most abundant glial cells¹.

They are highly branched and contribute to the blood-brain barrier as, the subpial glia limitans, as well as regulating extracellular fluid transport (known as the glymphatic pathway). They also are important in the metabolic exchange between neurones and capillaries, as well as responding to mechanical and biochemical insults to the brain (e.g. gliosis)¹.

Histology

Immunohistochemistry

Astrocytes are most easily identified by immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)¹.

-<p><strong>Astrocytes</strong> are cells of the central nervous system which act as both physical and physiological support for the <a title="neurones" href="/articles/neurones">neurones</a> that are embedded between them. They are highly branched and contribute to the <a title="blood brain barrier (BBB)" href="/articles/blood-brain-barrier">blood-brain barrier</a> as well as regulating extracellular fluid transport (known as the <a title="Glymphatic pathway" href="/articles/glymphatic-pathway">glymphatic pathway</a>). They also are important in the metabolic exchange between neurones and capillaries, as well as responding to mechanical and biochemical insults to the brain (e.g. <a title="Gliosis" href="/articles/gliosis">gliosis</a>). </p><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a title="Astrocytomas" href="/articles/astrocytic-tumours">astrocytomas</a></li></ul><p> </p>
+<p><strong>Astrocytes</strong> are cells of the central nervous system which act as both physical and physiological support for the <a href="/articles/neurones">neurones</a> that are embedded between them. They are particularly abundant in the <a href="/articles/grey-matter">grey matter</a>, where they are the most abundant <a title="Glial cells" href="/articles/glial-cells">glial cells</a> <sup>1</sup>.</p><p>They are highly branched and contribute to the <a href="/articles/blood-brain-barrier">blood-brain barrier</a>, the subpial <a href="/articles/glia-limitans">glia limitans</a>, as well as regulating extracellular fluid transport (known as the <a href="/articles/glymphatic-pathway">glymphatic pathway</a>). They also are important in the metabolic exchange between neurones and capillaries, as well as responding to mechanical and biochemical insults to the brain (e.g. <a href="/articles/gliosis">gliosis</a>) <sup>1</sup>. </p><h4>Histology</h4><h5>Immunohistochemistry</h5><p>Astrocytes are most easily identified by <a href="/articles/immunohistochemistry">immunohistochemical</a> staining for <a href="/articles/gfap">glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)</a> <sup>1</sup>. </p><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/astrocytic-tumours">astrocytomas</a></li></ul><p> </p>

References changed:

1. Barbara Young, Phillip Woodford, Geraldine O'Dowd. Wheater's Functional Histology. 6th Edition<a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?vid=ISBN9780702054884">ISBN: 9780702054884</a><span class="ref_v4"></span>

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