IUBio

extracellular matrix in CNS

Jason C. Doss jkdoss at acpub.duke.edu
Thu Dec 26 01:26:34 EST 1996



> What kind of extracellular matrix (if any) occurs into the central
> nervous system?

To my knowledge, the only extracellular matrix occurs at the basement
membranes surrounding capillaries, constituting one component of the
blood-brain barrier.  This basement membrane is of similar, if not the
same, constitution as capillary basement membrane elsewhere in the body. 
White matter contains another substance, myelin, which is responsible for
insulating the axons of neurons in the spinal cord and beneath the cortex,
as well as in the peripheral nervous system.  Myelin, however, is
INTRAcellular, contained within oligodendrocytes in the CNS, and Schwann
cells within the peripheral nervous system.  Please correct me if I'm
wrong, but I don't think I am.

Hope this helps,
JCD

 



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