Heterogeneous astrocytes: Active players in CNS.

摘要: Astrocytes, the predominant cell type that are broadly distributed in brain and spinal cord, play key roles maintaining homeostasis of central nerve system (CNS) physiological pathological conditions. Increasing evidence indicates astrocytes a complex colony with heterogeneity on morphology, gene expression, function many other aspects depending their spatio-temporal distribution activation level. In conditions, differentially respond to all kinds insults, including injury disease, participate neuropathological process. Based current studies, we here give an overview heterogeneous CNS, especially neuropathologies, which focuses biological functional diversity astrocytes. We propose precise understanding is critical unlocking secrets about pathogenesis treatment mazy CNS.