On the occurrence of microtubules within mature astrocytes

摘要

AbstractMicrotubules have been described to occur frequently within the subpial fibrous astrocytes of the adult spinal cord of three species. This finding is related directly to perfusion fixation by glutaraldehyde. Immersion fixation produced no or fewer tubules in this area. It is suggested that the presence of microtubules in these cells might reflect a specific skeletal function. Astrocytes from other locations within the central nervous system displayed fewer microtubules within their cytoplasm.