Glia Flashcards

1
Q

What are 3 unique features about glia (as opposed to neurons)?

A
  1. No axons
  2. Can divide
  3. Inexcitable
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2
Q

What make up the majority of cells in the brain?

A

Glia

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3
Q

What are the 2 main classifications of Glia?

A

Macroglia and Microglia

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4
Q

What are the 4 main types of Macroglia?

A
  1. Astrocytes
  2. Oligodendrocytes
  3. Schwann Cells
  4. Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells
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5
Q

Astrocytes are processes that cover _____ and surround _____

A

neurons; synapses

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6
Q

The end feet of astrocytes terminate on _____ (pial surface) and extend all the way to the ends of _____

A

blood vessels; synapses

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7
Q

Oligodendrocytes are the the ____ as Schwann Cells are to the _____

A

central nervous system; peripheral nervous system

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8
Q

What forms CNS myelin?

A

Oligodendrocytes

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9
Q

What forms PNS myelin?

A

Schwann Cells

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10
Q

Microglia are derived from blood _____, which are macrophages of the brain.

A

monocytes

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11
Q

What is the origin of microglia?

A

the mesoderm

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12
Q

What is the main glial function of astrocytes?

A

Uptake of Neurotransmitters

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13
Q

Describe the glutamate uptake of astrocytes. What is the purpose of this uptake?

A
  1. Glutamate: high affinity Na+ - dependent uptake
  2. GlutaMINE synthetase (glutaMATE+NH4 –> glutaMINE)
  3. Recycled to neurons (glutaMATE-glutaMINE cycle)

Purpose: to prevent excitotoxicity

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14
Q

Describe the GABA uptake of astrocytes

A
  1. High affinity NA+ - dependent uptake
  2. GABA transaminase
  3. GABA –> Krebs Cycle –> GlutaMATE –> GlutaMINE
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15
Q

Radial glia are stem cells for neuronal ______ cells

A

progenitor

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16
Q

Guidance of neuronal migration is when neurons move along what?

A

radial glial cell processes

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17
Q

Glial ______ factors influence neuronal development

A

neurotrophic

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18
Q

GDNF stands for what?

A

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor

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19
Q

What does GDNF do?

A

provides trophic support for dopamine neurons

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20
Q

Astrocytes release what to promote synapse formation?

A

thombospondins

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21
Q

Microglia prune excess what (even in the adult brain)? When does this occur?

A

synapses; during sleep

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22
Q

Astrocyte end-feet surround blood vessels. Developing vessels grow along what?

A

glial processes

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23
Q

Astrocytes release what growth factor?

A

VEGF: Vascular endothelial growth factor

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24
Q

What type of junction is formed in the blood brain barrier?

A

tight junctions

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25
Q

Astrocytes play a role in regulating ________ and help to regulate it in the brain by producing what kind of factors?

A

blood flow; vasoconstricting/vasodilating

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26
Q

Microglia are resident ____ of the brain and are considered the interface between which body system and the brain?

A

macrophages; immune

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27
Q

What are the intrinsic antigen presenting cells of the brain?

A

microglia

28
Q

What cells are constantly surveying the brain for injury?

A

microglia

29
Q

What cells differentiate into amoeboid-like cells to scavenge debris at the site of injury?

A

microglia

30
Q

What cells prune unneeded synapses during development?

A

microglia

31
Q

What is Reactive Gliosis?

A

the response of glial cells to brain injury or pathology

32
Q

Astrocytes have 3 main actions. What are they?

A
  1. Proliferation/differentiation
  2. Express GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein)
  3. Form glial scars
33
Q

Which cells form glial scars?

A

Astrocytes

34
Q

Which cells express GFAP?

A

Astrocytes

35
Q

Which cells are known for proliferations/differentiations?

A

Astrocytes

36
Q

Microglia are known to differentiate into _____-like cells to scavenge for ____ at the site of injury

A

amoeboid; injury

37
Q

What cells mediate the immune response of the brain?

A

Microglia

38
Q

What cells promote regeneration of nerves in the PNS?

A

Schwann Cells

39
Q

What cells act as conduits for regenerating axons?

A

Schwann Cells

40
Q

T/F: Severed peripheral nerves CAN regenerate.

A

true

41
Q

What cells prevent regeneration of nerves in the CNS?

A

Oligodendrocytes

42
Q

What kind of proteins, such as Nogo, inhibit axon growth?

A

oligodendrocyte

43
Q

T/F: Regeneration CAN be partially restored in the CNS. Why or why not?

A

true, because there are 3 ways to do so:

  1. Transplants of olfactory ensheathing cells (glia)
  2. GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor)
  3. Antibodies against oligodendrocyte proteins
44
Q

Why are SCI so devastating?

A

Because the CNS has a hard time regenerating nerves since oligodendrocytes PREVENT this

45
Q

Chronic pain can result from damage to what system?

A

PNS

46
Q

What cells play a role in chronic pain?

A

microglia

47
Q

What becomes activated in the dorsal (sensory) horn of the spinal cord following peripheral nerve damage?

A

microglia

48
Q

What do microglia release?

A

Diffusible factors, such as BDNF which is brain-derived neurotrophic factor

49
Q

What does the release of diffusible factors via microglia do? What is the clinical application of this?

A
  1. Increases neuronal excitability –>
  2. Increases pain –>
  3. Chronic pain

Result: Nerve blocks/corticosteroid injections to reduce pain needed

50
Q

In Alzheimer’s disease, many mutations are expressed in the _____ rather than the neurons

A

microglia

51
Q

Microglia surround ____ and phagocytize _____

A

amyloid plaques; b-amyloid

52
Q

If microglia are mutated (damaged/altered), they cannot remove _____, which is linked to developing Alzheimer’s

A

wastes/plaques

53
Q

In MS, autoimmune system attacks what kinds of cells?

A

oligodendrocytes

54
Q

In MS, the body believes myelin basic protein (and others) are _____ and attack the oligodendrocytes, which causes ________.

A

antigens; demyelination

55
Q

In Autism-spectrum disorders, the ____ are considered dysfunctional due to altered _____ and numbers.

A

microglia; morphology

56
Q

Microglial-specific mutations are commonly associated with what disorder?

A

Autism

57
Q

In Epilepsy, epileptogenesis can occur in regions of reactive _____ and ____ scars.

A

astrocytes; glial

58
Q

Abnormal glial cells may contribute to epileptogenesis due to the reduced uptake of which neurotransmitter?

A

glutaMATE

59
Q

Brain tumors are in less than 2% of all malignancies, but are largely untreatable. They are most commonly derived from ______, ______ and ______ cells which are glia lining the ventricles.

A

astrocytes; oligodendrocytes; ependymal

60
Q

Gliomas release what neurotransmitter which kills neurons and makes room for a tumor to grow in the brain?

A

glutaMATE

61
Q

The key factor in brain disease is what?

A

glutaMATE

62
Q

What are the main types of glial cells?

A
  1. Astrocytes
  2. Oligodendrocytes (CNS)
  3. Schwann Cells (PNS)
  4. Microglia
63
Q

Reactive gliosis mainly affects ____ and _____

A

astrocytes; microglia

64
Q

Glia can aid in regeneration in the ____ and hinder regeneration in the ____

A

PNS; CNS

65
Q

Glial cells are implicated in many ______ diseases

A

neurodegenerative