The Increased Densities, But Different Distributions, of Both C3 and S100A10 Immunopositive Astrocyte-Like Cells in Alzheimer's Disease Brains Suggest Possible Roles for Both A1 and A2 Astrocytes in the Disease Pathogenesis.

There is increasing evidence of astrocyte dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Animal studies supported by human post-mortem work have demonstrated two main astrocyte types: the C3 immunopositive neurotoxic A1 astrocytes and the S100A10 immunopositive neuroprotective A2 astrocytes. A1 astrocytes predominate in AD, but the number of cases has been relatively small.