Astrocytes: auxiliary cells for immune responses in the central nervous system?

Active and replicating astrocytes are prominent in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions and in experimental demyelinating diseases resembling MS. As evidence is amassed supporting an autoimmune etiology for MS, the possible contribution of astrocytes as auxiliary/effector cells in the generation of tissue damage and subsequent scar formation has attracted considerable attention. A recent workshop fostered interaction between neurobiologists interested in astrocytes and investigators interested in demyelinative diseases. Key issues were attempts to relate the behavior of astrocytes in demyelinative lesions to findings in model systems in vitro, to distinguish various astrocyte functions (auxiliary, effector, scar formation) and to identify the regulatory mechanisms associated with each function.