Nestin, vimentin and GFAP coexpression in reactive astrocytes in response to the striatal neurotoxic lesion
2007
Abstract
In our study, we have demonstrated the immediate reaction of reactive astrocytes to the neurotoxic damage within the striatum by immunohistochemical detection. The most interesting finding was gradual reexpression of those intermediate filaments (IFs) which are not present in astrocytes within the intact brain because they are typical only for undifferentiated or less differentiated neural cells.
Very interesting was intensive and increased coexpression of all three IFs in vascular end-feet which confirmed specialized relationship of astrocytes to the blood vessels (also in relation to the hemato-encephalic barrier) - the existence of glio-vascular unit.