Ultrastructure of junction areas between neurons and astrocytes in rat supraoptic nuclei

Figure 1 Electron microscopic observation of HGJ. A: A dendrite (D) contacts with the process of ASs (G), the arrow indicates the thickened and dark stained cellmembrane, and there is a narrow cleft between them. B: Peroxidase labeling shows a dendrite (D) and a process of astrocyte (G). C: Located between the Cx32-LI dendrites (D) (5 nm black gold particles labeling, black arrow) and astrocytic process (G) (peroxidase labeling).

Figure 2 Histogram comparison between hyperosmotic group (H) and control group (C) demonstrating percentages of HGJ formed by processes of astrocytes with neuronal dendrites (LD: large dendrites, SD: small dendrites). The percentage indicated the ratio of positive LD or SD bearing HGJ in the total number of LD or SD, respectively. Significant difference was seen be-tween the experimental group and control group (P < 0.001).

Figure 3 A,B: Expression of Fos-LI neurons and GFAP-LI ASs in SON of control group rats. C, D: Number of Fos-LI neurons and GFAP-LI ASs in hyperosmotic stimulation group compared to that of control group. E, F: Inhibited expression of Fos-LI neurons in CBX-injected rats, and uninhited GFAP-LI ASs.