Vol 48, No 2 (2010)
Original paper
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2010-08-03
Synantocytes: the fifth type of glia? In comparison with astrocytes.
Aleksandra Krawczyk, Jadwiga Jaworska-Adamu
DOI: 10.2478/v10042-010-0033-z
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Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2010;48(2):173-177.
Vol 48, No 2 (2010)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2010-08-03
Abstract
To date four types of glial cells have been identified in central nervous system: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, ependymocytes. The latest results indicate the existence of the fifth glial type-synantocytes from the Greek word synanto that is for contact. Synantocyte processes reach neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, synapses, myelin sheaths and nervous fibres' nodes of Ranvier. Morphologically, synantocytes are similar to astrocytes, but they do not contain, like astrocytes, glial fibrillary acidic protein and S-100 beta protein. Synantocytes show expression of NG2 surface chondroition sulphate proteoglycan. Moreover, these cells in contrast to astrocytes do not have membrane transporters for glutamate (Glu), but have receptors for Glu and gamma-aminobutyric acid, whose activation can contribute to keeping up ion balance in CNS. Synantocytes are components of synapses, participate in neuronal cytoskeleton stabilization and control myelin integrity, mediate oligodendrocytes answer to nervous fibres' damage and form glial scars. Thus, there are evidences that synantocytes and astrocytes make separate glial population, playing important functions in neuroprotection.
Abstract
To date four types of glial cells have been identified in central nervous system: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, ependymocytes. The latest results indicate the existence of the fifth glial type-synantocytes from the Greek word synanto that is for contact. Synantocyte processes reach neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, synapses, myelin sheaths and nervous fibres' nodes of Ranvier. Morphologically, synantocytes are similar to astrocytes, but they do not contain, like astrocytes, glial fibrillary acidic protein and S-100 beta protein. Synantocytes show expression of NG2 surface chondroition sulphate proteoglycan. Moreover, these cells in contrast to astrocytes do not have membrane transporters for glutamate (Glu), but have receptors for Glu and gamma-aminobutyric acid, whose activation can contribute to keeping up ion balance in CNS. Synantocytes are components of synapses, participate in neuronal cytoskeleton stabilization and control myelin integrity, mediate oligodendrocytes answer to nervous fibres' damage and form glial scars. Thus, there are evidences that synantocytes and astrocytes make separate glial population, playing important functions in neuroprotection.
Title
Synantocytes: the fifth type of glia? In comparison with astrocytes.
Journal
Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
Issue
Vol 48, No 2 (2010)
Article type
Original paper
Pages
173-177
Published online
2010-08-03
Page views
3033
Article views/downloads
2094
DOI
10.2478/v10042-010-0033-z
Bibliographic record
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2010;48(2):173-177.
Authors
Aleksandra Krawczyk
Jadwiga Jaworska-Adamu