Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation a cell body, which houses the nucleus. Axons and dendrites form extensions from the cell body. Glial cells are "nerve-helper" cells that provide structural support, nourishment and protection for neurons. Astrocytes, a kind of glial cell, are the primary support cells of the brain and spinal cord. They make and secrete proteins called neurotrophic factors, which assist in the maintenance of nerve cells in the central nervous system. They also break down and remove proteins or chemicals that might be harmful to neurons (for example, glutamate, a neurotransmitter that in excess causes cells to become overexcited and die by a
Human Endogenous Retrovirus-W influence the expression of HERV-W. Through qPCR methods and infection of cells with influenza and human herpes simplex 1 it was found that HERV-W has a heighted expression in a cell-specific manner when infected but no mechanism was revealed. Also, when these cells are placed in stressful environments such as serum deprivation similar and increased expression of HERV-W is also recorded. This suggests that HERV-W is modulated by environmental effects. Another study also infected cells with influenza to show that this virus can transactivate HERV-W elements. Influenza produces Glial Cells missing 1 (GCM1) that can act as an enhancer to