Nilsson M, Thorlin T, Blomstrand F, Hansson E
Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap, Göteborgs Universitet.
Lakartidningen. 2000 Aug 23;97(34):3604-10.
Recently, knowledge about the role of astrocytes in the brain has increased substantially. As a result we have had to rethink old views regarding how the brain works at the cellular level. Neurons can no longer be regarded as the only cell types of functional significance. The picture instead appears to be far more complex, with an ongoing exchange of information between different cell types, and this interaction is suggested to be particularly important between neurons and astrocytes. Astrocytes express receptors for different classes of neurotransmitters, and have both voltage and receptor operated ion channels. Through active uptake and release of ions, neurotransmitters and water they control the brain interstitium. Intercellular communication via transfer of neuroactive substances through gap junctions makes it possible to coordinate different activities in large areas of the brain. Dysfunction of astrocytic physiology is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis and progress of various neurological disorders such as epilepsy, stroke and cerebral edema.
最近，关于星形胶质细胞在大脑中作用的知识有了大幅增加。因此，我们不得不重新思考有关大脑在细胞水平上如何运作的旧观点。神经元不再能被视为唯一具有功能意义的细胞类型。相反，情况似乎要复杂得多，不同细胞类型之间不断进行信息交换，并且这种相互作用在神经元和星形胶质细胞之间尤为重要。星形胶质细胞表达不同种类神经递质的受体，并且具有电压门控离子通道和受体操纵离子通道。通过离子、神经递质和水的主动摄取与释放，它们控制着脑间质。通过间隙连接传递神经活性物质进行细胞间通讯，使得协调大脑大面积区域的不同活动成为可能。星形胶质细胞生理功能障碍被认为会导致各种神经系统疾病如癫痫、中风和脑水肿的发病机制及进展。
