ABSTRACT

Receptors ............................................................................................ 37 2.3.2 Role of P2 Receptors in Glia-Glia and Neuron-Glia

Communication .................................................................................. 39 2.4 Aquaporins at the Perivascular Domains ....................................................... 39

2.4.1 Aquaporin Family ............................................................................... 39

Astrocytes are highly elaborated and rami¡ed cells and likely the only neural cell that simultaneously establishes close morphological associations with most cellular types. Their ¡ne processes are in close proximity to astrocytes themselves, oligodendrocytes, neurons, and brain endothelial cells (Figure 2.1). Such close morphological associations, together with the fact that astrocytes express a multitude of ion channels, transporters, and membrane receptors, endows these cells with the unique capability to sense and in¢uence diverse central nervous system (CNS) functions.