Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Verkhratsky A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6050349 | biostudies-other | 2018 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
Astrocytes are neural cells of ectodermal, neuroepithelial origin that provide for homeostasis and defense of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are highly heterogeneous in morphological appearance; they express a multitude of receptors, channels, and membrane transporters. This complement underlies their remarkable adaptive plasticity that defines the functional maintenance of the CNS in development and aging. Astrocytes are tightly integrated into neural networks and act within the c ...[more]