This symposium will highlight some the functions associated with the three glial cell-types of the retina. Glial cells actively interact with each other as well as with neurons and the vasculature and participate in the generation of the electroretinogram and spreading depression. Particularly ...
Instead of being a central cell with membrane-tipped arms, Schwann cells form spirals directly around the axon. The nodes of Ranvier sit between them, just as they do with oligodendrocytes, and assist in nerve transmission in the same way. Schwann cells are also part of the PNS's immune sy...
In addition, glia have only one type of process connected to the cell body, and unlike full-fledged neurons, they retain the ability to divide. This is necessary given their function as support cells, which subjects them to more wear and tear than nerve cells and does not require them to ...
The astrocytes are the next most abundant type of glial cell. They perform a dizzying array of functions, all of which follow the general trend of ‘taking care of the brain’. They clean up the brain’s toxic trash, secrete the right chemicals that make the brain comfortable for cells, ...
There are three principal types of glial cells in the mammalian retina: Müller cells, astrocytes, and microglial cells. Müller cells are the most prominent retinal glial cell. They are a specialized form of radial glia which span nearly the entire depth of the retina. Astrocytes, the second ...
In this review, I will discuss the characteristics and functions of the major glial cell types including astrocytes, microglia, and the myelin-forming oligodendrocytes (CNS) and Schwann cells (PNS). Because of space limitations, it is impossible to give a complete accounting of all glia and ...
Glial cells are non-neuronal cells that make up a significant portion of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Glial cells have a large role in supporting and maintaining neuronal function. There are several types of glial cells, each with its own specific functions and ...
Most neurons share the same cellular components. But neurons are also highly specialized—different types of neurons have different sizes and shapes that relate to their functional roles. Parts of a Neuron Like other cells, each neuron has a cell body (or soma) that contains a nucleus, smooth...
[13,14,15]. On the other hand, the diversity of functions and glial cell types increases with the complexity of the nervous system. The increasing number of glia (from 10% of total brain volume in model invertebrates to over 50% in mammals), glia-to-neuron ratio, and glial cell ...
Muller cells have a range of functions all of which are vital to the health of the retinal neurons. Muller cells function in a symbiotic relationship with the neurons (for an excellent review see Reichenbach and Robinson, 1995). Thus Muller cell functions include: Supplying endproducts of anaero...