Eng L F, Ghirnikar R S
Pathology Research, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA 94304.
Brain Pathol. 1994 Jul;4(3):229-37. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.1994.tb00838.x.
One of the most remarkable characteristics of astrocytes is their vigorous response to diverse neurologic insults, a feature that is well conserved across a variety of different species. The astroglial response occurs rapidly and can be detected within one hour of a focal mechanical trauma (Mucke et al., 1991). Prominent reactive astrogliosis is seen; in AIDS dementia; a variety of other viral infections; prion associated spongiform encephalopathies; inflammatory demyelinating diseases; acute traumatic brain injury; neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The prominence of astroglial reactions in various diseases, the rapidity of the astroglial response and the evolutionary conservation of reactive astrogliosis indicate that reactive astrocytes fulfill important functions of the central nervous system (CNS). Yet, the exact role reactive astrocytes play in the injured CNS has so far remained elusive. This chapter summaries the various experimental models and diseases that exhibit astrogliosis and increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Recent in vitro studies to inhibit GFAP synthesis are also presented.
星形胶质细胞最显著的特征之一是它们对各种神经损伤有强烈反应，这一特征在多种不同物种中都得到了很好的保留。星形胶质细胞反应迅速，在局灶性机械创伤后一小时内即可检测到（Mucke等人，1991年）。在艾滋病痴呆症、多种其他病毒感染、朊病毒相关海绵状脑病、炎性脱髓鞘疾病、急性创伤性脑损伤、神经退行性疾病如阿尔茨海默病中都可见明显的反应性星形胶质细胞增生。星形胶质细胞反应在各种疾病中的突出表现、星形胶质细胞反应的快速性以及反应性星形胶质细胞增生的进化保守性表明，反应性星形胶质细胞在中枢神经系统（CNS）中发挥着重要作用。然而，到目前为止，反应性星形胶质细胞在受损中枢神经系统中的确切作用仍然难以捉摸。本章总结了表现出星形胶质细胞增生和胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）增加的各种实验模型和疾病。还介绍了最近抑制GFAP合成的体外研究。
