Figure 3.

Apical processes of SVZ astrocytes that contact the ventricle decline with age. a, In young adult (3-month old) mice, many pinwheels (outlined in red, yellow and orange) and their core of astrocytic processes (outlined in grey) can be detected. b, In elderly (2-year old) mice, there are significantly fewer intact pinwheel structures (only one is found in this section). In addition, only one or two astrocytic processes are found at the core, versus 3–5 in young mice. Images were taken using a Leica TCS SP2 confocal microscope. β-catenin defines cell boundaries of astrocytes and ependymal cells, γ-tubulin labels basal bodies (multiple found in ependymal cells and a single basal body of the primary cilium found in astrocytes) and GFAP marks astrocytes.