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Morphology and Properties of Astrocytes

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The Blood-Brain and Other Neural Barriers

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 686))

Abstract

Astrocytes were identified about 150 years ago, and, for the longest time, were considered to be supporting cells in the brain providing trophic, metabolic, and structural support for neural networks. Research in the last 2 decades has uncovered many novel molecules in astrocytes and the finding that astrocytes communicate with neurons via Ca2+ signaling, which leads to release of chemical transmitters, termed gliotransmitters, has led to renewed interest in their biology. This chapter will briefly review the unique morphology and molecular properties of astrocytes. The reader will be introduced to the role of astrocytes in blood-brain barrier (BBB) maintenance, in Ca2+signaling, in synaptic transmission, in CNS synaptogenesis, and as neural progenitor cells. Mention is also made of the diseases in which astrocyte dysfunction has a role.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks are expressed to Drs. Cynthia Hawkins and Dittkavi S.R. Sarma for reviewing this manuscript and for their helpful suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Sukriti Nag

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  1. Sukriti Nag
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  1. Banting Institute, Dept. Laboratory Med. & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, College St. 100, Toronto, M5G 1L5, Ontario, Canada

    Sukriti Nag

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Nag, S. (2011). Morphology and Properties of Astrocytes. In: Nag, S. (eds) The Blood-Brain and Other Neural Barriers. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 686. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-938-3_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-938-3_3

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-937-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-938-3

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