Mechanisms Underlying Astrocyte Endfeet Swelling in Stroke

Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2016:121:19-22. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-18497-5_4.

Abstract

Astrocyte endfeet envelop the cerebral capillaries that form the blood-brain barrier. Swelling of these endfeet occurs early in cerebral ischemia. It is generally hypothesized that such swelling occurs as the result of factors released from parenchymal brain cells during an ischemic stroke (e.g., K(+) and L-glutamate). In this review of mechanisms that can elicit astrocyte swelling in ischemic stroke, we hypothesize that, instead or in addition, such swelling may be a response to blood-brain barrier dysfunction. Astrocyte endfeet swelling may help form a cuff around a damaged vessel that limits the egress of plasma constituents and blood (hemorrhage) into brain.

Keywords: Astrocytes; Blood-brain barrier; Cell volume; Cerebral hemorrhage; Cerebral ischemia; Swelling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aspartic Acid / metabolism
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Astrocytes / ultrastructure
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism*
  • Brain Ischemia / metabolism*
  • Cell Size
  • Edema / metabolism*
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Potassium / metabolism
  • Stroke / metabolism*

Substances

  • Aspartic Acid
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Potassium