Oligodendrocytes in a Nutshell.

John-Paul Michalski,Rashmi Kothary

doi:10.3389/fncel.2015.00340

John-Paul Michalski, Rashmi Kothary

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2015.00340

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Abstract

Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS). While the phrase is oft repeated and holds true, the last few years have borne witness to radical change in our understanding of this unique cell type. Once considered static glue, oligodendrocytes are now seen as plastic and adaptive, capable of reacting to a changing CNS. This review is intended as a primer and guide, exploring how the past 5 years have fundamentally altered our appreciation of oligodendrocyte development and CNS myelination.

Highlights

In the central nervous system (CNS), oligodendrocytes (OLs) are the glial-subtype responsible for myelin production
This review aims to introduce the reader to fundamental aspects of OL development and myelination – taking the OL from simple bipolar progenitor to fully mature myelin-producing cell
The life of an OL is defined by four distinct phases: (1) the birth, migration, and proliferation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), a process occurring in waves, followed by (2) morphological differentiation – the OL establishes an expansive network of processes, (3) axonal contact, leading to ensheathment and generation of compact myelin around target axons, and (4) long-term trophic and metabolic support of the encased axon

Summary

Oligodendrocytes in a nutshell

Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS). While the phrase is oft repeated and holds true, the last few years have borne witness to radical change in our understanding of this unique cell type. Oligodendrocytes are seen as plastic and adaptive, capable of reacting to a changing CNS. This review is intended as a primer and guide, exploring how the past 5 years have fundamentally altered our appreciation of oligodendrocyte development and CNS myelination. Wee Yong, University of Calgary, Canada Timothy Edward Kennedy, McGill University, Canada.

Introduction

Oligodendrocytes in CNS Myelination

Concluding Remarks