astrocyte

American  

[as-truh-sahyt] / ˈæs trəˌsaɪt /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. a star-shaped neuroglial cell of ectodermal origin.

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astrocyte British  

/ ˈæstrəʊˌsaɪt /

noun

1. any of the star-shaped cells in the tissue supporting the brain and spinal cord (neuroglia)

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astrocyte Scientific  

/ ăs′trə-sīt′ /

1. A star-shaped cell, especially one of the glial cells that support the tissue of the central nervous system.

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Other Word Forms

• astrocytic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of astrocyte

First recorded in 1895–1900; astro- + -cyte

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

astrocyte

The team found that increasing levels of Sox9, a protein that plays a major role in regulating astrocyte activity during aging, significantly improved these cells' ability to remove amyloid plaques.

From Science Daily ● May 2, 2026

The protective benefits suggested that strong astrocyte engagement may help slow the cognitive decline associated with neurodegenerative disease.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 23, 2025

Their attention centered on Sox9, a protein that influences a wide network of genes involved in astrocyte aging.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 23, 2025

Using this method, Tsai and Murdock's team saw that gamma sensory stimulation indeed promoted changes consistent with increased astrocyte AQP4 activity.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 28, 2024

Windham and Cohen hypothesize that the altered composition of the lipid droplets could be causing astrocyte dysfunction and affecting the microglia's ability to clear amyloid beta.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 9, 2024