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Fig. 1 | The Journal of Physiological Sciences

Fig. 1

From: Mechanisms of astrocytic K+ clearance and swelling under high extracellular K+ concentrations

Fig. 1

Summary of the constructed astrocyte model. a The K+ clearance mechanism in astrocytes, consisting of K+ uptake and K+ release. Excess K+ in extracellular spaces surrounding the majority of the astrocytic membrane or synaptic cleft can be transferred into intracellular spaces (K+ uptake). The absorbed K+ in the intracellular space can be released into the extracellular part of the perivascular space (K+ release), b schematic overview of the astrocyte model. The intracellular space of the astrocyte model was designed as one compartment with cell volume, [Na+]in, [K+]in, and [Cl−]in. The extracellular space surrounding the model was divided into three parts: synaptic cleft (left), main body (center), and perivascular space (right). Each of the extracellular spaces have their own [Na+]out, [K+]out, and [Cl−]out independent from those in other extracellular spaces. Models of Na,K-ATPases, Na-K-Cl cotransporters (NKCCs), K-Cl cotransporters (KCCs), inwardly rectifying K+ (KIR) channels, passive Cl− current (I Cl,passive), and aquaporin water (AQP) channels were incorporated into the compartment model, and c equivalent circuit of the constructed astrocyte model. Models of ion channels and electrogenic transporters (i.e. KIR channels, I Cl,passive, and Na,K-ATPases) were incorporated into the equivalent circuit of the astrocytic membrane

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