Beyond Rodents and Primates: Uncovering Cortical Astrocyte Diversity across Mammals.

Background: Astrocytes, a type of glial cell in the brain, show remarkable morphological and functional diversity across mammalian species.

Summary: This review explores astrocyte biology beyond the commonly studied rodent and primate models, focusing on nontraditional species to uncover evolutionary and adaptive features.

Key messages: By examining astrocytes in marsupials, monotremes, chiropterans, artiodactyls, carnivorans, and cetaceans, we highlight species-specific variations in astrocyte morphology, distribution, and molecular markers. These adaptations are linked to ecological demands, such as echolocation in bats or diving in cetaceans, and underscore the evolutionary pressures shaping astrocyte specialization. Additionally, we explore unique astrocytic subtypes, such as interlaminar astrocytes and their distribution across mammalian lineages, as well as the expression of connexins, GFAP, and other key markers across species. This comparative review provides insights into the evolutionary trajectory of astrocytes and their contributions to neural health and disease, emphasizing the need for broader taxonomic representation in astrocyte research.