Astrocyte Marker GFAP in Gliocytes of Peripheral Nervous System

Glial cells of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) are oneof the major focuses of modern neurobilogy. This review aims tosummarize our own and literature data on the expression and distributionpatterns of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in PNS glialcells, specifically, in the enteric nervous system, dorsal rootganglia, and peripheral nerves. A comparative study of differentPNS gliocyte populations shows that GFAP, a key intermediate filamentprotein, has different distribution patterns in these cells. Analysisof the literature demonstrates that although this protein is widelyemployed as a molecular marker of glial activation, there is stilla lack of understanding of the exact mechanisms behind its involvementin glial reactivity. The described features of GFAP-expressing gliocytesin different parts of the PNS reveals a functional polymorphismof this protein. Its ability to be expressed in PNS gliocytes in responseto injury requires further investigation.