the LGN in vivo show the same significant loss of synaptic engulfment ability (around 50% compared to astrocytes in saline-treated control animals) as was seen in our in vitro assay (Fig. 3a,b,d,e). Combined, these data show A1 reactive astrocytes have deficiencies in phagocytosis of both synaptosomes and myelin debris in culture, that this deficiency can also influence efficiency of synaptic pruning in vivo, and suggest that A1s may well lose the capacity to clear myelin debris in vivo, an important area for future investigation.
