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Astrocytes, or astroglia, are star-shaped glial cells within the brain which have many processes that envelope synapses made between neurons. Astrocytes have several functions including the biochemical support of the endothelial cells in forming the blood-brain barrier, provision of nutrients to nervous tissues and to form scar tissue during repair of the brain. The fluorescent image of astrocytes on the right is possible because astrocytes express glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) which facilitates their identification.

Astrocytes, or astroglia, are star-shaped glial cells within the brain which have many processes that envelope synapses made between neurons. Astrocytes have several functions including the biochemical support of the endothelial cells in forming the blood-brain barrier, provision of nutrients to nervous tissues and to form scar tissue during repair of the brain. The fluorescent image of astrocytes on the right is possible because astrocytes express glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) which facilitates their identification.

[[Image:astrocyte.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Astrocyte (immunofluorescence staining). Image courtesy of Alliance Européenne Dana pour le Cerveau (EDAB)]]

[[Image:astrocyte.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Astrocyte (immunofluorescence staining). Image courtesy of Alliance Européenne Dana pour le Cerveau (EDAB)]]

Another key role of astrocytes is within the brain where they play an important structural role as well as performing the roles described above. Astrocytes are involved in the physical structuring of the brain and the interplay between astrocytes and mesenchymal cells is important in sculpting [[Forebrain_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Cerebral_Cortex|sulci]] in development. Astrocytes also delineate the  CNS from the PNS by creating the CNS-PNS interface. The cells cover the surface of the brain and where this occurs the astrocytes' surface is coated by a basal lamina.

Another key role of astrocytes is within the brain where they play an important structural role as well as performing the roles described above. Astrocytes are involved in the physical structuring of the brain and the interplay between astrocytes and mesenchymal cells is important in sculpting [[Forebrain_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Cerebral_Cortex|sulci]] in development. Astrocytes also delineate the  CNS from the PNS by creating the CNS-PNS interface. The cells cover the surface of the brain and where this occurs the astrocytes' surface is coated by a basal lamina.

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