Effects [correction of Effecs] of the thyroid hormone (T3) on astrocytes
Moura Neto, V.; Trentin, A.; Lima, F.; Gomes, F.; Gonçalves, N.; Chamas, L.V.; Lins, C.; Garcia-Abreu, J.; Rosenthal, D.; Chagas, C.
Revista Brasileira de Biologia 56(1 Suppl Part 1): 123-134
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-7108 PMID: 9394495 Document Number: 460435
Thyroid hormones have profound effects on growth and development. In the brain L-3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), the bioactive hormone, is involved with the harmonious development acting in neuronal and glial cell differentiation. T3 acts on the cells by interacting with nuclear receptors that can regulate the expression of several genes. Astrocytes also show receptors to the hormone. We reported herein data on the effects of T3 on astrocytes. We have verified that T3 has a morphological effect on cultured cortical astrocytes with rearrangement of GFAP filaments, and induces proliferation in the cultured cerebellar astrocytes of newborn rats. We discuss here the effects of T3 on astrocytes, considering the possibility that thyroid hormone prepares the astrocytes to interact with neurons.