Abstract
Oligodendrocytes, the myelin-making cells of the CNS, regulate the complex process of myelination under physiological and pathological conditions, significantly aided by other glial cell types such as microglia, the brain-resident, macrophage-like innate immune cells. In this review, we summarize how oligodendrocytes orchestrate myelination, and especially myelin repair after damage, and present novel aspects of oligodendroglial functions. We emphasize the contribution of microglia in the generation and regeneration of myelin by discussing their beneficial and detrimental roles, especially in remyelination, underlining the cellular and molecular components involved. Finally, we present recent findings towards human stem cell-derived preclinical models for the study of microglia in human pathologies and on the role of microbiome on glial cell functions.
Highlights
Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Basic Science, University of Crete Medical School, IMBB FORTH, Nikolaou Plastira 100, Vassilika Vouton, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
Myelinating oligodendrocytes originate from oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) which are highly proliferative cells derived in discrete waves during development
Homeostasis of CNS myelination is contingent upon the cross-talk between oligodendrocytes, microglia and astrocytes
Summary
The myelin sheath is the membranous structure that surrounds most of the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous system axons of vertebrates. Signal conduction is optimal due to the increase in resistance and decrease in the membrane capacitance of axons, which increase the velocity of action potential propagation up to tenfold [1,2]. In addition to this important insulating function, myelin assumes several critical functions in the nervous system. It has been appreciated recently that oligodendrocytes influence neuronal circuits by being able to respond to activity-dependent changes by regulating myelin production [7,8,9,10]. Biomolecules 2021, 11, 1058 myelin homeostasis, and examine how this cross-talk is influenced under conditions of inflammation that often lead to myelin pathologies
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