Figure 1

Identification of astrocytes in spinal dorsal horn. An astrocyte (arrow) with attached patch pipette (P) is shown when viewed in DIC (A) and under epifluorescence when filled with Lucifer Yellow (B). C, Anti-GFAP antibody labeling (red) superimposed on the cell loaded with Lucifer Yellow (green) shown in B. D, under voltage clamp, inward and outward currents (upper left) were evoked in the same cell, by depolarizing and hyperpolarizing voltage steps from a holding potential of -80 mV (lower left). I/V curve (upper right) shows the nearly linear current-voltage relationship with slight rectification during hyperpolarization from the recorded cell. Whole-cell membrane potential changes (lower right) induced by 200 ms steps of current (-500 to 1200 pA) recorded from the same cell, noticing there is no action potential induced. Scale bar = 10 μm in A and B; 20 μm in C.