GFAP
Pronunciation: gee-fap
Also written as: GFAP — Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
Glial fibrillary acidic protein, an intermediate filament specific to astrocytes used as a diagnostic marker.
Full Definition
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an intermediate filament protein that serves as the primary structural component of astrocytic cytoskeleton and is widely used as a specific immunohistochemical marker for astrocytes in neuropathology. GFAP expression increases significantly during reactive astrogliosis, making it an excellent marker for identifying astrocytic tumors, reactive changes, and astrocytic processes in various neurological conditions. The protein is essential for maintaining astrocytic cell shape and function, and its upregulation is a hallmark of CNS injury and inflammation. GFAP immunostaining is routinely used in diagnostic neuropathology to characterize glial tumors and assess reactive changes.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize as acronym; spell out on first use in formal documents.
In Context
- "Strong GFAP immunoreactivity confirmed the astrocytic nature of the tumor cells." — Immunohistochemistry report
- "Upregulated GFAP expression indicated significant reactive astrogliosis in the surrounding tissue." — Tissue analysis