Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS), have numerous integral roles in all CNS functions. They are essential for synaptic transmission and support neurons by providing metabolic substrates, secreting growth factors and regulating extracellular concentrations of ions and neurotransmitters. Astrocytes respond to CNS insults through reactive astrogliosis, in which they go through many functional and molecular changes. In neuroinflammatory conditions reactive astrocytes exert both beneficial and detrimental functions, depending on the context and heterogeneity of astrocytic populations. In this review we profile astrocytic diversity in the context of neuroinflammation; with a specific focus on multiple sclerosis (MS) and its best-described animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We characterize two main subtypes, protoplasmic and fibrous astrocytes and describe the role of intermediate filaments in the physiology and pathology of these cells. Additionally, we outline a variety of markers that are emerging as important in investigating astrocytic biology in both physiological conditions and neuroinflammation.

中文翻译：

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星形胶质细胞表型：强调神经炎症的潜在标志物。

星形胶质细胞是中枢神经系统 (CNS) 中最丰富的神经胶质细胞，在所有 CNS 功能中具有许多不可或缺的作用。它们通过提供代谢底物、分泌生长因子和调节细胞外离子和神经递质的浓度，对突触传递和支持神经元至关重要。星形胶质细胞通过反应性星形胶质细胞增生对中枢神经系统的损伤做出反应，其中它们经历了许多功能和分子变化。在神经炎症条件下，反应性星形胶质细胞发挥有益和有害的功能，这取决于星形胶质细胞群体的背景和异质性。在这篇综述中，我们描述了神经炎症背景下的星形胶质细胞多样性；特别关注多发性硬化症 (MS) 及其最佳描述的动物模型实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎 (EAE)。我们表征了两种主要亚型，原生质和纤维状星形胶质细胞，并描述了中间丝在这些细胞的生理学和病理学中的作用。此外，我们概述了各种在生理条件和神经炎症中研究星形胶质细胞生物学的重要标志物。