Cells· 2019Q1· Review
Oligodendrocytes in Development, Myelin Generation and Beyond
- 605citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2019year
Short summary
Oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the CNS, are generated from adult progenitor cells and are crucial for axonal health, with their pathology linked to diseases like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's. Recent findings reveal novel immunomodulatory roles for these cells, though their implications remain unclear.
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Key points
- Oligodendrocytes are the CNS cells responsible for myelinating axons, derived from adult oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs).
- Myelin generation is an energy-intensive process making oligodendrocytes susceptible to damage in diseases like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's.
- Lost oligodendrocytes can be replenished from the OPC pool, enabling remyelination to prevent axonal degeneration and restore function.
- Recent research has identified novel immunomodulatory functions of oligodendrocytes, with implications yet to be fully understood.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that are generated from oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC). OPC are distributed throughout the CNS and represent a pool of migratory and proliferative adult progenitor cells that can differentiate into oligodendrocytes. The central function of oligodendrocytes is to generate myelin, which is an extended membrane from the cell that wraps tightly around axons. Due to this energy consuming process and the associated high metabolic turnover oligodendrocytes are vulnerable to cytotoxic and excitotoxic factors. Oligodendrocyte pathology is therefore evident in a range of disorders including multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Deceased oligodendrocytes can be replenished from the adult OPC pool and lost myelin can be regenerated during remyelination, which can prevent axonal degeneration and can restore function. Cell population studies have recently identified novel immunomodulatory functions of oligodendrocytes, the implications of which, e.g., for diseases with primary oligodendrocyte pathology, are not yet clear. Here, we review the journey of oligodendrocytes from the embryonic stage to their role in homeostasis and their fate in disease. We will also discuss the most common models used to study oligodendrocytes and describe newly discovered functions of oligodendrocytes.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Cells, 2019 · DOI ↗
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Field: Developmental Neuroscience
Developmental NeuroscienceNeuroscience