ABSTRACT
More recently, astrocytes have been examined as an effector cell in the pathogenesis of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex (ADC). This chapter discusses the functional diversity and biophysical characteristics of ion channels and other facilitated transporters in astrocytes, and the ability of astrocytes to participate in immunological and inflammatory events within the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are derived from the neuroectoderm of neural tube. They can be distinguished from other CNS cell types by their reactivity to antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Astrocytes are essential for a variety of brain functions, especially because they comprise 30-50" of total brain mass. Many different varieties of ion channels with varying pharmacological and electrophysiological properties have been found within the astrocyte. The astrocyte is stimulated by HIV-1 viral proteins produced by infected cells such as macrophages or microglia. HIV-infected astrocytes may serve as a store of virus and virus protein, allowing them to infect other cells.
