Research Highlight

Astrocytes Limit CNS Regeneration

Investigators at Göteborg University and the University of Southern California found astrocytes play a significant role in limiting the regenerative capacity of the central nervous system. [more]

In the May 26, 2004 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, researchers collaborating with NCMIR’s Eric Bushong demonstrated reactive astrocytes lacking intermediate filaments in mice show a limited hypertrophy of cell processes and synaptic regeneration in the hippocampus. Methods relied on models of astrocyte interaction first described by Bushong at NCMIR.

These findings reveal a novel role for intermediate filaments in astrocytes, especially under highly stressful conditions, and implicate reactive astrocytes as potent inhibitors of neuroregeneration.

Previous studies demonstrated positive and negative effects of reactive astrocytes on regeneration following CNS injury. Although astrocytes inhibit neuroregeneration and neurite outgrowth, they may provide a substrate for axonal regrowth.

Links to related astrocyte studies:

Astrocytes Change During Postnatal Brain Development

Relationship of Astrocytes to Laminar Boundaries in the Adult Brain Examined