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Cover ArticleArticles, Cellular/Molecular

Uniquely Hominid Features of Adult Human Astrocytes

Nancy Ann Oberheim, Takahiro Takano, Xiaoning Han, Wei He, Jane H. C. Lin, Fushun Wang, Qiwu Xu, Jeffrey D. Wyatt, Webster Pilcher, Jeffrey G. Ojemann, Bruce R. Ransom, Steven A. Goldman and Maiken Nedergaard
Journal of Neuroscience 11 March 2009, 29 (10) 3276-3287; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4707-08.2009
Nancy Ann Oberheim
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Takahiro Takano
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Xiaoning Han
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Wei He
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Jane H. C. Lin
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Fushun Wang
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Qiwu Xu
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Jeffrey D. Wyatt
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Webster Pilcher
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Jeffrey G. Ojemann
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Bruce R. Ransom
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Steven A. Goldman
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Maiken Nedergaard
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Abstract

Defining the microanatomic differences between the human brain and that of other mammals is key to understanding its unique computational power. Although much effort has been devoted to comparative studies of neurons, astrocytes have received far less attention. We report here that protoplasmic astrocytes in human neocortex are 2.6-fold larger in diameter and extend 10-fold more GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein)-positive primary processes than their rodent counterparts. In cortical slices prepared from acutely resected surgical tissue, protoplasmic astrocytes propagate Ca2+ waves with a speed of 36 μm/s, approximately fourfold faster than rodent. Human astrocytes also transiently increase cystosolic Ca2+ in response to glutamatergic and purinergic receptor agonists. The human neocortex also harbors several anatomically defined subclasses of astrocytes not represented in rodents. These include a population of astrocytes that reside in layers 5–6 and extend long fibers characterized by regularly spaced varicosities. Another specialized type of astrocyte, the interlaminar astrocyte, abundantly populates the superficial cortical layers and extends long processes without varicosities to cortical layers 3 and 4. Human fibrous astrocytes resemble their rodent counterpart but are larger in diameter. Thus, human cortical astrocytes are both larger, and structurally both more complex and more diverse, than those of rodents. On this basis, we posit that this astrocytic complexity has permitted the increased functional competence of the adult human brain.

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The Journal of Neuroscience: 29 (10)
Journal of Neuroscience
Vol. 29, Issue 10
11 Mar 2009
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Uniquely Hominid Features of Adult Human Astrocytes
Nancy Ann Oberheim, Takahiro Takano, Xiaoning Han, Wei He, Jane H. C. Lin, Fushun Wang, Qiwu Xu, Jeffrey D. Wyatt, Webster Pilcher, Jeffrey G. Ojemann, Bruce R. Ransom, Steven A. Goldman, Maiken Nedergaard
Journal of Neuroscience 11 March 2009, 29 (10) 3276-3287; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4707-08.2009

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Uniquely Hominid Features of Adult Human Astrocytes
Nancy Ann Oberheim, Takahiro Takano, Xiaoning Han, Wei He, Jane H. C. Lin, Fushun Wang, Qiwu Xu, Jeffrey D. Wyatt, Webster Pilcher, Jeffrey G. Ojemann, Bruce R. Ransom, Steven A. Goldman, Maiken Nedergaard
Journal of Neuroscience 11 March 2009, 29 (10) 3276-3287; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4707-08.2009
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