Delayed astrocyte reaction following facial nerve axotomy.

Transection of the facial nerve causes a rapid increase of glial fibrillary acidic protein in reactive astrocytes and a proliferation of local microglial cells. The latter is associated with a detachment of synaptic terminals from the regenerating motor neurons. About 3 weeks following axotomy the reactive astrocytes begin to form thin, sheet-like lamellar processes which cover virtually all neuronal surfaces. A high 5'-nucleotidase enzymic activity can be demonstrated in the plasma membrane of these thin cell processes. Subsequently, the lamellar processes become arranged in stacks which persist for several months and thus isolate the regenerating motor neurons from their afferent synaptic input. It is speculated that the process may protect the motor neurons during regeneration.