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Updated: Jul 22, 2026
Monitoring Astrocyte Reactivity and Proliferation in Vitro Under Ischemic-Like Conditions
Published on: October 21, 2017
Cholinergic modulation of baker's yeast cell phagocytosis by rat astrocytes
Ricardo M Gómez1, María I Berría, Leonor Sterin-Borda
1Department of Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, MT Alvear 2146, 4 piso sector B, 1221 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract:
Cholinergic regulation of baker's yeast cell phagocytosis in rat cultured astrocytes was studied. Phagocytic activity was reduced by 1 x 10(-5) M of atropine or pirenzepine, but not by AF-DX116 or 4-DAMP. In addition, carbachol stimulated phagocytosis in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, only 1 x 10(-5)M of atropine, pirenzepine and 4-DAMP significantly reduced enhanced activity induced by 1 x 10(-7)M carbachol. It was also observed that L-NMMA, staurosporine, or U-73122, reduced phagocytosis activity while TFP failed to do so. Nitrite levels in astrocyte supernatants increased after baker's yeast cells were incorporated to astrocyte cultures, correlating with enhanced phagocytosis induced by carbachol stimulation, and were reduced by 1 x 10(-5) M of atropine, pirenzepine or aminopiridine, but not by AF-DX116 or 4-DAMP. Enhanced NO production triggered by astrocyte phagocytosis may have pathological consequences.
