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Histology slide of brain cells!

4K views 7 replies 7 participants last post by  ricko335 
#1 ·
A histologic stain of brain tissue is shown here. The cells stained red express glial fibrillary acidic protein and are well-known for their role in helping maintain the integrity of the blood brain barrier. Which of the following is a correct statement regarding these cell types?
  • A. These cells are destroyed in multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • B. These cells are involved in the production of cerebrospinal fluid
  • C. These cells serve a principal role in repair and scarring following CNS injury
  • D. These cells are embryologically derived from the mesodermal layer
  • E. These cells are the predominant type of glial cell found in white matter of the CNS
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#5 ·
A histologic stain of brain tissue is shown here. The cells stained red express glial fibrillary acidic protein and are well-known for their role in helping maintain the integrity of the blood brain barrier. Which of the following is a correct statement regarding these cell types?
  • A. These cells are destroyed in multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • B. These cells are involved in the production of cerebrospinal fluid
  • C. These cells serve a principal role in repair and scarring following CNS injury
  • D. These cells are embryologically derived from the mesodermal layer
  • E. These cells are the predominant type of glial cell found in white matter of the CNS
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C. These cells serve a principal role in repair and scarring following CNS injury
 
#8 ·
The correct answer is C.
Located in the brain and spinal cord, astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells which originate from ectoderm, express GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein - a type of intermediate filament), and perform several important functions:
1. provide support and perform "housekeeping" functions - e.g., buffer extracellular K+, metabolize neurotransmitters (e.g., glutamate, GABA, serotonin)
2. help maintain the BBB (blood brain barrier)
3. play a key role in repair/scarring following injury of the brain and spinal cord

Ependymal cells are ciliated cells which form the inner epithelial lining of the choroid plexus, cerebral ventricles, and central canal of the spinal cord. Ependymal cells are involved in the production of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid). Like astrocytes, ependymal cells may also express GFAP, however ependymal cells do not help maintain the BBB.

Microglia represent the only CNS cell type that originates in the mesodermal layer. Microglia function as macrophages in the CNS.

Oligodendrocytes form myelin around multiple CNS axons and are the are the predominant type of glial cell found within the white matter of the CNS. Oligodendrocytes are destroyed in multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and PML (progressive multifocal lekoencephalopathy - demyelinating disease caused by the JC virus, a type of polyomavirus (icosahedral capsid, nonenveloped, circular dsDNA), in immunocompromised patients (e.g., AIDS, recipients of solid organ transplants) → limb weakness, problems with speech).
 
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