Figure 2.

Transcriptome impacts function: the consequences of astrocyte heterogeneity. Differences in transcript expression between astrocytes can affect the function of local neuronal circuits, ultimately leading to functional impairments. For example, astrocytes in the ventral horn of the spinal cord are enriched in expression of Kcnj10, which encodes the K⁺ channel Kir4.1. Astrocyte-specific deletion of Kir4.1 leads to impaired local K⁺ homeostasis, a selective decrease in fast α-motor neuron (MN) size and impaired function, a decrease in the size of the innervated muscle and consequent loss of peak strength. Figure is adapted from Kelly et al. [47].