Biomaterial strategies for creating in vitro astrocyte cultures resembling in vivo astrocyte morphologies and phenotypes

Astrocytes are dynamic cells residing in the central nervous system exhibiting many diverse functions. Astrocytes quickly change and present unique phenotypes in response to injury or disease. Here, we briefly summarize recent information regarding astrocyte morphology and function and provide brief insight into their phenotypic changes after injury or disease. We also present the use of in vitro astrocyte cultures and present recent advances in biomaterial development that enable better recapitulation of their in vivo behavior and morphology.