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What is astrocytes and oligodendrocytes?
Oligodendrocytes form the myelin sheath around axons. Astrocytes provide nutrients to neurons, maintain their extracellular environment, and provide structural support. Microglia scavenge pathogens and dead cells. Ependymal cells produce cerebrospinal fluid that cushions the neurons.
What is the primary role of microglia and astrocytes in myelination?
Astrocytes and Microglia as Major Players of Myelin Production in Normal and Pathological Conditions. Myelination is an essential process that consists of the ensheathment of axons by myelin. In the central nervous system (CNS), myelin is synthesized by oligodendrocytes.
What are astrocytes and microglia?
Astrocytes and microglia perform complementary roles during brain development and physiology. Among the best studied of these are their roles in supporting synapse development and responding to neuronal signals.
What is the difference between astrocytes and microglia?
Each of the populations of non-neuronal cells of the adult CNS are remarkably adapted to support neuronal function: astrocytes maintain ionic and neurotransmitter homeostasis, refine synaptic connections, and provide neuronal metabolic substrates; microglia monitor synaptic elements and networks, responding to …
Do astrocytes provide myelination?
Astrocytes have been shown to promote myelination through their supportive roles on neuron survival and maintenance of neuronal activity, and their direct action on proliferation, differentiation and migration of oligodendrocytes (Fig. 2).
Are oligodendrocytes a type of astrocyte?
Among the neuroglia, the two macroglia oligodendrocytes and astrocytes are the most abundant cell types. While the major function of oligodendrocytes is the formation of the lipid-rich myelin structure, the heterogeneous group of astrocytes fulfils a multitude of important roles in cerebral development and homeostasis.
Are there oligodendrocytes in the PNS?
Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells are engaged in myelin production, maintenance and repairing respectively in the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).