L-DOPA Uptake in Astrocytic Endfeet Enwrapping Blood Vessels in Rat Brain

Figure 4

L-DOPA uptake by astrocytes and their endfeet on brain capillaries. (a) and (b) Uptake of L-DOPA as revealed by the Falck-Hillarp method is concentrated in astrocyte cell body, astrocyte processes that project to the vessels and in the endfeet touching the vessel wall. Note that the capillary vessel walls are completely enwrapped by the endfeet. (c) Current responses of an astrocyte during puff-application of L-DOPA (100 μM) or ASP⁺ (50 μM). Note that L-DOPA application did not elicit a current response, while ASP⁺ elicited an inward current. Scale: 20 μm.