Oligodendrocyte Cell Research Articles

Metabolomics-based discovery of a metabolite that enhances oligodendrocyte maturation.

Endogenous metabolites play essential roles in the regulation of cellular identity and activity. Here we have investigated the process of oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation, a process that becomes limiting during progressive stages of demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis, using mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics. Levels of taurine, an aminosulfonic acid possessing pleotropic biological activities and broad tissue distribution properties, were found to be significantly elevated (∼20-fold) during the course of oligodendrocyte differentiation and maturation. When added exogenously at physiologically relevant concentrations, taurine was found to dramatically enhance the processes of drug-induced in vitro OPC differentiation and maturation. Mechanism of action studies suggest that the oligodendrocyte-differentiation-enhancing activities of taurine are driven primarily by its ability to directly increase available serine pools, which serve as the initial building block required for the synthesis of the glycosphingolipid components of myelin that define the functional oligodendrocyte cell state.

Decrease in Cavity Size and Oligodendrocyte Cell Death Using Neurosphere-Derived Oligodendrocyte-Like Cells in Spinal Cord Contusion Model

Background:Oligodendrocyte cell death is among the important features of spinal cord injury, which appears within 15 min and occurs intensely for 4 h after injury, in the rat spinal contusion model. Accordingly, the number of oligodendrocytes progressively reduced within 24 h after injury. Administration of oligodendrocyte-like cells (OLCs) into the lesion area is one of the approaches to counterbalance this condition.Methods:Bone marrow stromal cells were transdifferentiated into neurospheres and then into neural stem cells and later were differentiated into OLCs using triiodothyronine and transplanted into the spinal cord contusion rats. The post-injury functional recovery was explored and compared with the control group using Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan and narrow beam behavioral tests. At the end of 12th week, spinal cord segments T12-L1 were histomorphologically studied by immunohistochemistry.Results:Motor improvement was more obvious during 2nd to 4th weeks and got less prominent during 4th to 12th weeks. Histomorphometric findings indicated that cavity formation decreased in epicenter of transplantation area in experimental groups in comparison with the control groups.Conclusion:The findings obtained in the present study showed that OLC therapy is a potential approach in the treatment of spinal cord traumatic injuries.

Cellular and molecular characterization of IDH1-mutated diffuse low grade gliomas reveals tumor heterogeneity and absence of EGFR/PDGFRα activation.

Diffuse low grade gliomas (DLGG, grade II gliomas) are slowly-growing brain tumors that often progress into high grade gliomas. Most tumors have a missense mutation for IDH1 combined with 1p19q codeletion in oligodendrogliomas or ATRX/TP53 mutations in astrocytomas. The phenotype of tumoral cells, their environment and the pathways activated in these tumors are still ill-defined and are mainly based on genomics and transcriptomics analysis. Here we used freshly-resected tumors to accurately characterize the tumoral cell population and their environment. In oligodendrogliomas, cells express the transcription factors MYT1, Nkx2.2, Olig1, Olig2, Sox8, four receptors (EGFR, PDGFRα, LIFR, PTPRZ1) but not the co-receptor NG2 known to be expressed by oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. A variable fraction of cells also express the more mature oligodendrocytic markers NOGO-A and MAG. DLGG cells are also stained for the young-neuron marker doublecortin (Dcx) which is also observed in oligodendrocytic cells in nontumoral human brain. In astrocytomas, MYT1, PDGFRα, PTPRZ1 were less expressed whereas Sox9 was prominent over Sox8. The phenotype of DLGG cells is overall maintained in culture. Phospho-array screening showed the absence of EGFR and PDGFRα phosphorylation in DLGG but revealed the strong activation of p44/42 MAPK/ERK which was present in a fraction of tumoral cells but also in nontumoral cells. These results provide evidence for the existence of close relationships between the cellular phenotype and the mutations found in DLGG. The slow proliferation of these tumors may be associated with the absence of activation of PDGFRα/EGFR receptors.

Deacetylase SIRTs regulate differentiation of oligodendrocyte and modulate distribution of oligodendrocyte-specific cytoskeleton-related molecules

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Whereas massive demylination results in destruction of neural network with axonal degeneration, several studies indicate that remyelination occurs early phase of MS. Physiological and pathological molecular mechanisms of demyelination and remyelination in the MS still remain to be elucidated. Previously, we showed protein deacetylase family SIRT regulate morphological change of oligodendrocytic cell line.

Replication of JC Virus DNA in the G144 Oligodendrocyte Cell Line Is Dependent Upon Akt.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an often-fatal demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. PML results when oligodendrocytes within immunocompromised individuals are infected with the human JC virus (JCV). We have identified an oligodendrocyte precursor cell line, termed G144, that supports robust levels of JCV DNA replication, a central part of the JCV life cycle. In addition, we have determined that JC virus readily infects G144 cells. Furthermore, we have determined that JCV DNA replication in G144 cells is stimulated by myristoylated (i.e., constitutively active) Akt and reduced by the Akt-specific inhibitor MK2206. Thus, this oligodendrocyte-based model system will be useful for a number of purposes, such as studies of JCV infection, establishing key pathways needed for the regulation of JCV DNA replication, and identifying inhibitors of this process.IMPORTANCE The disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by the infection of particular brain cells, termed oligodendrocytes, by the JC virus. Studies of PML, however, have been hampered by the lack of an immortalized human cell line derived from oligodendrocytes. Here, we report that the G144 oligodendrocyte cell line supports both infection by JC virus and robust levels of JCV DNA replication. Moreover, we have established that the Akt pathway regulates JCV DNA replication and that JCV DNA replication can be inhibited by MK2206, a compound that is specific for Akt. These and related findings suggest that we have established a powerful oligodendrocyte-based model system for studies of JCV-dependent PML.

The Beneficial Effects of Melatonin Administration Following Hypoxia-Ischemia in Preterm Fetal Sheep.

Melatonin (MLT) is an endogenous hormone that controls circadian cycle. MLT has additional important properties that make it appealing as a neuroprotective agent—it is a potent anti-oxidant, with anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties. MLT is safe for administration during pregnancy or to the newborn after birth, and can reduce white matter brain injury under conditions of chronic fetal hypoxia. Accordingly, in the current study, we examined whether an intermediate dose of MLT could restore white matter brain development when administered after an acute hypoxic ischemic (HI) insult in preterm fetal sheep. Fifteen fetal sheep at 95–98 days gestation were instrumented with femoral artery and vein catheters, and a silastic cuff placed around the umbilical cord. At 102 days gestation, the cuff was inflated, causing complete umbilical cord occlusion for 25 min in 10 fetuses, to induce acute severe HI. Five HI fetuses received intravenous MLT for 24 h beginning at 2 h after HI. The remaining five fetuses were administered saline alone. Ten days after HI, the fetal brain was collected from each animal and white and gray matter neuropathology assessed. HI caused a significant increase in apoptotic cell death (TUNEL+), activated microglia (Iba-1+), and oxidative stress (8-OHdG+) within the subventricular and subcortical white matter. HI reduced the total number of oligodendrocytes and CNPase+ myelin density. MLT administration following HI decreased apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress within the white matter. MLT had intermediate benefits for the developing white matter: it increased oligodendrocyte cell number within the periventricular white matter only, and improved CNPase+ myelin density within the subcortical but not the striatal white matter. MLT administration following HI was also associated with improved neuronal survival within the cortex. Neuropathology in preterm infants is complex and mediated by multiple mechanisms, including inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptotic pathways. Treatment with MLT presents a safe approach to neuroprotective therapy in preterm infants but appears to have brain region-specific benefits within the white matter.

How can a skin cell become a nerve cell?

How can a skin cell become a nerve cell? This is one of the 125 big questions raised in Science magazine for its 125th anniversary. Here we summarize what we know on this subject. In particular, we discuss recent success in converting fibroblasts, one of the common cells found in skin, into nerve cells including neuron. Despite these successes in making nerve cells of skin cells in laboratory, it is quite challenging in translating these breakthroughs into success in clinic. The nervous system includes the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. Many insults, including infection, poisoning, immune damage, nutritional disorders, endocrine disorders and genetic factors, may damage the nervous system such that nerve cells undergo degeneration, apoptosis, or necrosis, leading to neurological impairments. The impairments in peripheral nerve system may be repaired without much defects with skilled microsurgical techniques. However, options are quite limited in repair lesions in the central nerve system as it was known that neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) could not regenerate after damage and would only be replaced by glial cells. Neuronal stem cells hold great promise in repairing lesions in the nerve systems. While embryonic stem cells may be complicated with ethical issues, adult stem cells such as neuronal stem cells are difficult to isolate and purify, with limited differentiation capacity. One solution is the induction of neuronal cells from skin fibroblast directly. Indeed, in 2010, Vierbuchen et la use three transcription factors, Ascl1 , Brn2/4 and Myt1L (ABM), to directly convert fibroblasts into induced neurons (iNs). Because fibroblasts are easy to obtain, they have become the first choice of the initial cells to induce nerve cells. This technology has become an active area of research in recent years. Going forward, it is possible to apply many similar strategies including transcription factors, small molecules, microRNAs to the induction of neuron, glial cell, astrocyte oligodendrocyte and Schwann cells from fibroblast. The cells generated from these strategies can be used to treat Parkinson′s disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. There is a bright future for the generation of nerve cells from skin cells. In deed, similar approaches have been attempted in animal models. For human therapy, we must perform more safety tests, improve efficiency and enhance survival rate. Therefore, we need a lot of work done in clinical practice. Most importantly, the investigation of nerve cell generation from skin fibroblast may help us to understand the basic rules and laws of cell fate determination and the mechanism for human developments. Current work is laying a solid foundation for the development of therapies.

MicroRNA-212 inhibits oligodendrocytes during maturation by down-regulation of differentiation-associated gene expression.

MicroRNA-212 (mir-212) has been reported to regulate neuronal development and functioning. However, its expression and function in glia are not yet known. Here, we demonstrate that the level of microRNA-212 (mir-212) was reduced in spinal cord lesion site at 1week and 1month after a contusive spinal cord injury. In addition to its expression in neurons, mir-212 expression was detected in oligodendrocytes (OLGs) and glial progenitor cells (GPCs) in adult CNS. The addition of antagomir-212 to reduce mir-212 expression enabled to improve the cell process outgrowth of OLGs along with the up-regulation of the genes associated with OLG differentiation and maturation, including OLIG1, SOX10, myelin basic protein (MBP), and proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1). In contrast, these genes were significantly down-regulated by an increased expression of mir-212 in GPCs or in OLG progenitor cells (OPCs) through lentivirus-mediated gene delivery approach. Moreover, we found that PLP1 was the direct target molecule of mir-212. Furthermore, mir-212 over-expression diminished the protein production of OLGs markers including 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase), MBP, and PLP. Additionally, mir-212 over-expression decreased the number of mature OLGs expressing MBP, and the expression of galactocerebroside (GC). Complementary studies in a hippocampal neuron-OLG co-culture model and an exvivo cerebellar slice system indicated that OLGs derived from GPCs with mir-212 over-expression exhibited decreased ability to interact with neuronal axons. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that mir-212 repressed the expression of OLG maturation-associated proteins and inhibited OLG cell process extension, indicating that mir-212 has negative regulatory effect on OLG lineage progression.

TUBB4A mutations result in specific neuronal and oligodendrocytic defects that closely match clinically distinct phenotypes

Hypomyelinating leukodystrophies are heritable disorders defined by lack of development of brain myelin, but the cellular mechanisms of hypomyelination are often poorly understood. Mutations in TUBB4A, encoding the tubulin isoform tubulin beta class IVA (Tubb4a), result in the symptom complex of hypomyelination with atrophy of basal ganglia and cerebellum (H-ABC). Additionally, TUBB4A mutations are known to result in a broad phenotypic spectrum, ranging from primary dystonia (DYT4), isolated hypomyelination with spastic quadriplegia, and an infantile onset encephalopathy, suggesting multiple cell types may be involved. We present a study of the cellular effects of TUBB4A mutations responsible for H-ABC (p.Asp249Asn), DYT4 (p.Arg2Gly), a severe combined phenotype with hypomyelination and encephalopathy (p.Asn414Lys), as well as milder phenotypes causing isolated hypomyelination (p.Val255Ile and p.Arg282Pro). We used a combination of histopathological, biochemical and cellular approaches to determine how these different mutations may have variable cellular effects in neurons and/or oligodendrocytes. Our results demonstrate that specific mutations lead to either purely neuronal, combined neuronal and oligodendrocytic or purely oligodendrocytic defects that closely match their respective clinical phenotypes. Thus, the DYT4 mutation that leads to phenotypes attributable to neuronal dysfunction results in altered neuronal morphology, but with unchanged tubulin quantity and polymerization, with normal oligodendrocyte morphology and myelin gene expression. Conversely, mutations associated with isolated hypomyelination (p.Val255Ile and p.Arg282Pro) and the severe combined phenotype (p.Asn414Lys) resulted in normal neuronal morphology but were associated with altered oligodendrocyte morphology, myelin gene expression, and microtubule dysfunction. The H-ABC mutation (p.Asp249Asn) that exhibits a combined neuronal and myelin phenotype had overlapping cellular defects involving both neuronal and oligodendrocyte cell types in vitro. Only mutations causing hypomyelination phenotypes showed altered microtubule dynamics and acted through a dominant toxic gain of function mechanism. The DYT4 mutation had no impact on microtubule dynamics suggesting a distinct mechanism of action. In summary, the different clinical phenotypes associated with TUBB4A reflect the selective and specific cellular effects of the causative mutations. Cellular specificity of disease pathogenesis is relevant to developing targeted treatments for this disabling condition.

Systemic Neutrophil Depletion Modulates the Migration and Fate of Transplanted Human Neural Stem Cells to Rescue Functional Repair.

The interaction of transplanted stem cells with local cellular and molecular cues in the host CNS microenvironment may affect the potential for repair by therapeutic cell populations. In this regard, spinal cord injury (SCI), Alzheimer's disease, and other neurological injuries and diseases all exhibit dramatic and dynamic changes to the host microenvironment over time. Previously, we reported that delayed transplantation of human CNS-derived neural stem cells (hCNS-SCns) at 9 or 30 d post-SCI (dpi) resulted in extensive donor cell migration, predominantly neuronal and oligodendrocytic donor cell differentiation, and functional locomotor improvements. Here, we report that acute transplantation of hCNS-SCns at 0 dpi resulted in localized astroglial differentiation of donor cells near the lesion epicenter and failure to produce functional improvement in an all-female immunodeficient mouse model. Critically, specific immunodepletion of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) blocked hCNS-SCns astroglial differentiation near the lesion epicenter and rescued the capacity of these cells to restore function. These data represent novel evidence that a host immune cell population can block the potential for functional repair derived from a therapeutic donor cell population, and support targeting the inflammatory microenvironment in combination with cell transplantation after SCI.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The interaction of transplanted cells with local cellular and molecular cues in the host microenvironment is a key variable that may shape the translation of neurotransplantation research to the clinical spinal cord injury (SCI) human population, and few studies have investigated these events. We show that the specific immunodepletion of polymorphonuclear leukocyte neutrophils using anti-Ly6G inhibits donor cell astrogliosis and rescues the capacity of a donor cell population to promote locomotor improvement after SCI. Critically, our data demonstrate novel evidence that a specific host immune cell population can block the potential for functional repair derived from a therapeutic donor cell population.

Does Sirt2 Regulate Cholesterol Biosynthesis During Oligodendroglial Differentiation In Vitro and In Vivo?

Sirtuin2 (SIRT2) is a deacetylase enzyme predominantly expressed in myelinating glia of the central nervous system (CNS). We have previously demonstrated that Sirt2 expression enhances oligodendrocyte (OL) differentiation and arborization in vitro, but the molecular targets of SIRT2 in OLs remain speculative. SIRT2 has been implicated in cholesterol biosynthesis by promoting the nuclear translocation of sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-2. We investigated this further in CNS myelination by examining the role of Sirt2 in cholesterol biosynthesis in vivo and in vitro employing Sirt2 -/- mice, primary OL cells and CG4-OL cells. Our results demonstrate that expression of cholesterol biosynthetic genes in the CNS white matter or cholesterol content in purified myelin fractions did not differ between Sirt2 -/- and age-matched wild-type mice. Cholesterol biosynthetic gene expression profiles and total cholesterol content were not altered in primary OLs from Sirt2 -/- mice and in CG4-OLs when Sirt2 was either down-regulated with RNAi or overexpressed. In addition, Sirt2 knockdown or overexpression in CG4-OLs had no effect on SREBP-2 nuclear translocation. Our results indicate that Sirt2 does not impact the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, total cholesterol content, or nuclear translocation of SREBP-2 during OL differentiation and myelination.

Exercise in Adulthood after Irradiation of the Juvenile Brain Ameliorates Long-Term Depletion of Oligodendroglial Cells.

Cranial radiation severely affects brain health and function, including glial cell production and myelination. Recent studies indicate that voluntary exercise has beneficial effects on oligodendrogenesis and myelination. Here, we hypothesized that voluntary running would increase oligodendrocyte numbers in the corpus callosum after irradiation of the juvenile mouse brain. The brains of C57Bl/6J male mice were 6 Gy irradiated on postnatal day 9 during the main gliogenic developmental phase, resulting in a loss of oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Upon adulthood, the mice were injected with bromodeoxyuridine and allowed to exercise on a running wheel for four weeks. Cell proliferation and survival, Ascl1+ oligodendrocyte precursor and Olig2+ oligodendrocyte cell numbers as well as CC1+ mature oligodendrocytes were quantified using immunohistology. Radiation induced a reduction in the number of Olig2+ oligodendrocytes by nearly 50% without affecting production or survival of new Olig2+ cells. Ascl1+ cells earlier in the oligodendroglial cell lineage were also profoundly affected, with numbers reduced by half. By three weeks of age, Olig2+ cell numbers had not recovered, and this was paralleled by a volumetric loss in the corpus callosum. The deficiency of Olig2+ oligodendrocytes persisted into adulthood. Additionally, the depletion of Ascl1+ progenitor cells was irreversible, and was even more pronounced at 12 weeks postirradiation compared to day 2 postirradiation. Furthermore, the overall number of CC1+ mature oligodendrocytes decreased by 28%. The depletion of Olig2+ cells in irradiated animals was reversed by 4 weeks of voluntary exercise. Moreover, voluntary exercise also increased the number of Ascl1+ progenitor cells in irradiated animals. Taken together, these results demonstrate that exercise in adulthood significantly ameliorates the profound and long-lasting effects of moderate exposure to immature oligodendrocytes during postnatal development.

Protective and therapeutic role of 2-carba-cyclic phosphatidic acid in demyelinating disease

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis is a neuroinflammatory demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system characterized by recurrent and progressive demyelination/remyelination cycles, neuroinflammation, oligodendrocyte loss, demyelination, and axonal degeneration. Cyclic phosphatidic acid (cPA) is a natural phospholipid mediator with a unique cyclic phosphate ring structure at the sn-2 and sn-3 positions of the glycerol backbone. We reported earlier that cPA elicits a neurotrophin-like action and protects hippocampal neurons from ischemia-induced delayed neuronal death. We designed, chemically synthesized, and metabolically stabilized derivatives of cPA: 2-carba-cPA (2ccPA), a synthesized compound in which one of the phosphate oxygen molecules is replaced with a methylene group at the sn-2 position. In the present study, we investigated whether 2ccPA exerts protective effects in oligodendrocytes and suppresses pathology in the two most common mouse models of multiple sclerosis.MethodsTo evaluate whether 2ccPA has potential beneficial effects on the pathology of multiple sclerosis, we investigated the effects of 2ccPA on oligodendrocyte cell death in vitro and administrated 2ccPA to mouse models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and cuprizone-induced demyelination.ResultsWe demonstrated that 2ccPA suppressed the CoCl2-induced increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression ratio and phosphorylation levels of p38MAPK and JNK protein. 2ccPA treatment reduced cuprizone-induced demyelination, microglial activation, NLRP3 inflammasome, and motor dysfunction. Furthermore, 2ccPA treatment reduced autoreactive T cells and macrophages, spinal cord injury, and pathological scores in EAE, the autoimmune multiple sclerosis mouse model.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that 2ccPA protected oligodendrocytes via suppression of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Also, we found beneficial effects of 2ccPA in the multiperiod of cuprizone-induced demyelination and the pathology of EAE. These data indicate that 2ccPA may be a promising compound for the development of new drugs to treat demyelinating disease and ameliorate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Different Mutations of Gap Junction Connexin 47 Lead to Discrepant Activation of Unfolded Protein Response Pathway in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-Like Disease.

Background The unfolded protein response (UPR) includes three cascade pathways, which are responsible for the elimination of overload protein that is accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We hypothesize that mutations in connexin 47 (Cx47) lead to abnormal retain of the protein in the ER lumen, which causes Pelizaeus–Merzbacher-like disease (PMLD), a hypomyelinating leukodystrophic disorder. Methods In this study, the influence of mutant Cx47 on the three UPR cascade pathways and discrepant UPR activation was analyzed in an oligodendrocyte cell line transfected with different mutations in the first extracellular loop of Cx47. As over activated UPR pathway would lead to cell apoptosis, cell viability and apoptosis were also compared between the different mutants. Results The elevated UPR level accompanied with higher apoptotic rates were measured in the c.138C > G or c.217C > T-transduced oligodendrocytes, but not in the c.216delGinsAA group, compared with the wild-type and empty vector groups. Cell viability was lower in oligodendrocytes transfected with the mutation of c.138C > G or c.217C > T, but not in the c.216delGinsAA group. Conclusion Different mutations in the Cx47 lead to discrepant activation of UPR pathway, which encouraged apoptotic cell death at different levels. Inappropriate activation of UPR may play important roles in the pathophysiology of PMLD.

Abstract 5162: Oligodendrocytes might up-regulate the invasiveness of glioblastoma cells via Angiopoietin-2 signaling pathway

Abstract Background & Aims: Glioblastoma (GBM, WHO Grade IV) is considered as the most lethal neoplasm of all solid cancers due to its inherent intensive invasiveness. GBM may arise de novo, or following progression from lower grade gliomas. Recently, solid tumor progression has been recognized as the product of an evolving crosstalk between the cancer cells and its surrounding glial cells. The intensive invasion activity of GBM cells might be regulated by surrounding normal cells such as oligodendrocytes or fibroblasts. In this study, we evaluated the interactive factors between GBM cells and normal glial cells to determine the role of oligodendrocytes in regulating the invasiveness of glioblastoma cells. Methods: Two GBM cell lines, T98G and U251, were used. Two oligodendrocyte cell lines, ODC1 and ODC2, were derived one each from surgical tissues of patients with low-grade glioma (WHO Grade II). Two fibroblasts cell lines, GF1 and GF2, were derived one each from surgical tissues of patients with GBM. Oligodendrocytes and fibroblasts were confirmed by immuno-histochemical staining. The invasive property of GBM cells was analyzed in the presence or absence of conditioned medium from oligodendrocytes or fibroblasts by wound-healing assay and Boyden chamber invasion assay. The proliferation ability of GBM cells was examined by MTT assay. Subsequently Cytokine array was used to examine the cytokines and growth factors in the conditioned medium from oligodendrocytes or fibroblasts. Results: Oligodendrocyte cells, ODC1 and ODC2 cells, significantly (p<0.01) increased the migration and invasion ability of GBM cells, T98G and U251. In contrast, fibroblasts, GF1 and GF2 cells, did not affect the migration and invasion ability of GBM cells. Cytokine array indicated that Angiopoietin-2 was found in the conditioned medium from oligodendrocytes, but not that from fibroblasts. Angiopoietin-2 significantly (p<0.01) increased the invasiveness of GBM, but not their proliferation ability. Conclusion: Oligodendrocytes might up-regulation of the invasiveness of GBM cells via angiopoietin-2 signaling pathway. Hence, angiopoietin-2 can be considered as a promising target for the treatment of malignant gliomas. Citation Format: Toshiyuki Kawashima. Oligodendrocytes might up-regulate the invasiveness of glioblastoma cells via Angiopoietin-2 signaling pathway [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5162.

Abstract 945: Oligodendrocytes might up-regulate the Invasiveness of glioblastoma cells via angiopoietin-2 signaling

Abstract Background & Aims: Glioblastoma (GBM, WHO Grade IV) is considered as the most lethal neoplasm of all solid cancers due to its inherent intensive invasiveness. GBM may arise de novo, or following progression from lower grade gliomas. Recently, solid tumor progression has been recognized as the product of an evolving crosstalk between the cancer cells and its surrounding glial cells. The intensive invasion activity of GBM cells might be regulated by surrounding normal cells such as oligodendrocytes or fibroblasts. In this study, we evaluated the interactive factors between GBM cells and normal glial cells to determine the role of oligodendrocytes in regulating the invasiveness of glioblastoma cells. Methods: Two GBM cell lines, T98G and U251, were used. Two oligodendrocyte cell lines, ODC1 and ODC2, were derived one each from surgical tissues of patients with low-grade glioma (WHO Grade II). Two fibroblasts cell lines, GF1 and GF2, were derived one each from surgical tissues of patients with GBM. Oligodendrocytes and fibroblasts were confirmed by immuno-histochemical staining. The invasive property of GBM cells was analyzed in the presence or absence of conditioned medium from oligodendrocytes or fibroblasts by wound-healing assay and Boyden chamber invasion assay. The proliferation ability of GBM cells was examined by MTT assay. Subsequently Cytokine array was used to examine the cytokines and growth factors in the conditioned medium from oligodendrocytes or fibroblasts. Results: Oligodendrocyte cells, ODC1 and ODC2 cells, significantly (p<0.01) increased the migration and invasion ability of GBM cells, T98G and U251. In contrast, fibroblasts, GF1 and GF2 cells, did not affect the migration and invasion ability of GBM cells. Cytokine array indicated that Angiopoietin-2 was found in the conditioned medium from oligodendrocytes, but not that from fibroblasts. Angiopoietin-2 significantly (p<0.01) increased the invasiveness of GBM, but not their proliferation ability. Conclusion: Oligodendrocytes might up-regulation of the invasiveness of GBM cells via angiopoietin-2 signaling pathway. Hence, angiopoietin-2 can be considered as a promising target for the treatment of malignant gliomas. Citation Format: Toshiyuki Kawashima. Oligodendrocytes might up-regulate the Invasiveness of glioblastoma cells via angiopoietin-2 signaling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 945. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-945

Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency enhances myelin repair after acute and chronic demyelination.

The cuprizone animal model, also known as the toxic demyelination model, is a well-reproducible model of demyelination- and remyelination in mice, and has been useful in studying important aspect of human demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis. In this study, we investigated the role of acid sphingomyelinase in demyelination and myelin repair by inducing acute and chronic demyelination with 5- or 12-week cuprizone treatment, followed by a 2-week cuprizone withdrawal phase to allow myelin repair. Sphingolipids, in particular ceramide and the enzyme acid sphingomyelinase, which generates ceramide from sphingomyelin, seem to be involved in astrocyte activation and neuronal damage in multiple sclerosis. We used immunohistochemistry to study glial reaction and oligodendrocyte distribution in acid sphingomyelinase deficient mice and wild-type C57BL/6J littermates at various time intervals after demyelination and remyelination. Axonal injury was quantified using amyloid precursor protein and synaptophysin, and gene expression and protein levels were measured using gene analysis and Western blotting, respectively. Our results show that mice lacking acid sphingomyelinase had a significant increase in myelin recovery and a significantly higher oligodendrocyte cell count after 2 weeks remyelination compared to wild-type littermates. Detrimental astroglial distribution was also significantly reduced in acid sphingomyelinase deficient animals. We obtained similar results in experiments using amitriptyline to inhibit acid sphingomyelinase. These findings suggest that acid sphingomyelinase plays a significant role in myelin repair, and its inhibition by amitriptyline may constitute a novel therapeutic approach for multiple sclerosis patients.

Development of treatment for Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease: Drug-repositioning approach targeting a novel cellular pathology

Objective: Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) is the most common, but incurable inherited hypomyelinating leukodystrophy caused by various mutations in the PLP1 gene, which encodes a myelin membrane protein. PLP1 amino acid substitutions often cause severe form of PMD. It has been suggested that the proapoptotic branch of unfolded protein response (UPR) triggered by accumulation of the mutant PLP1 in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the major cellular mechanism underlying the oligodendrocyte cell death. However, attenuation of this pathway doesn't ameliorate the cellular phenotypes, suggesting an involvement of other disease mechanisms. We have recently found that the mutant PLP1 also interfere with intracellular transport of other normal membrane and secretary proteins, possibly affecting the cellular homeostasis. We thus hypothesized that the mutant PLP1-induced dysfunction of secretary pathway may serve as another cellular mechanism for PMD and the drugs that can enhance the transport of secretary and membrane proteins may rescue the cellular phenotype caused by mutant PLP1. Methods: To identify such drugs, we have established a screening system using HeLa cells transiently co-expressing mutant PLP1 and secretable-form luciferase reporter. We screened a library of 1400 existing medicine, so that our findings are immediately applicable to the clinical study. We next tested if the selected compounds can also rescue the abnormal intracellular localization of KDEL receptor that is normally present in Golgi apparatus but is mislocalized in ER when co-expressed with mutant PLP1. Results: Using these screening systems, we have identified 20 compounds that can correct the reduced intracellular transport of normal secretary and membrane proteins. Of these, 6 were confirmed to correct the intracellular localization of KDEL receptor. Furthermore, two compounds successfully extended the life span of the PMD animal model, msd mouse. Conclusion: These findings suggest that these compounds may serve as novel candidate drugs for PMD with PLP1 point mutations.

Sublethal oligodendrocyte injury: A reversible condition in multiple sclerosis?

Degeneration of oligodendroglial distal processes has been identified as an early event in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion development. Our objective was to further define the development of the "dying-back" oligodendrocyte lesion in situ and to model the development and potential reversibility of such responses using dissociated cultures of adult human brain-derived oligodendrocytes. In situ analyses were performed on glutaraldehyde-fixed thin sections of clinically acute and pathologically active cases of MS. In vitro studies were conducted using adult human brain-derived oligodendrocytes challenged by metabolic stress conditions (low nutrient/glucose). In situ analyses indicated a spectrum of myelin changes in the presence of morphologically intact oligodendrocytes; these included degeneration of the inner cytoplasmic tongue with increasing sizes of intramyelinic bleb formation that could result in radial fractures of the myelin sheath. Macrophages with ingested myelin fragments were identified only once the fragmentation was established. In vitro studies indicated that oligodendrocyte process retraction, which was linked to reduced glycolytic respiratory activity, is reversible until a critical time point. Subsequent cell death was not linked to caspase-3-dependent programs. Gene expression studies conducted at the latest reversible time point revealed reduced expression of pathways associated with cell process outgrowth and myelination, as well as with metabolic activity. Our findings reveal the potential to protect and possibly restore myelin elaborated by existent oligodendrocytes in early and evolving MS lesions, and suggest the necessity of ongoing studies of the mechanisms underlying subsequent adult human oligodendrocyte cell death. Ann Neurol 2017;81:811-824.

Receptor tyrosine kinases play a significant role in human oligodendrocyte inflammation and cell death associated with the Lyme disease bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi

BackgroundIn previous studies, human oligodendrocytes were demonstrated to undergo apoptosis in the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi under an inflammatory milieu. Subsequently, we determined that the MEK/ERK pathway played a significant role in triggering downstream inflammation as well as apoptosis. However, the identity of receptors triggered by exposure to B. burgdorferi and initiating signaling events was unknown.MethodsIn this study, we explored the role of several TLR and EGFR/FGFR/PDGFR tyrosine kinase pathways in inducing inflammation in the presence of B. burgdorferi, using siRNA and/or inhibitors, in MO3.13 human oligodendrocytes. Cell death and apoptosis assays were also carried out in the presence or absence of specific receptor inhibitors along with the bacteria to determine the role of these receptors in apoptosis induction. The expression pattern of specific receptors with or without B. burgdorferi was also determined.ResultsTLRs 2 and 5 had a minimal role in inducing inflammation, particularly IL-6 production. Rather, their effect was mostly inhibitory, with TLR2 downregulation significantly upregulating CXCL8, and CXCL (1,2,3) levels, and TLR5 likely having a similar role in CXCL8, CXCL(1,2,3), and CCL5 levels. TLR4 contributed mostly towards CCL5 production. On the other hand, inhibition of all three EGF/FGF/PDGF receptors significantly downregulated all five of the inflammatory mediators tested even in the presence of B. burgdorferi. Their inhibition also downregulated overall cell death and apoptosis levels. The expression pattern of these receptors, as assessed by immunohistochemistry indicated that the PDGFRβ receptor was the most predominantly expressed receptor, followed by FGFR, although no significant differences were discernible between presence and absence of bacteria. Interestingly, inhibition of individual EGFR, FGFR, or PDGFR receptors did not indicate an individual role for any of these receptors in the overall downregulation of pathogenesis. Contrarily, suppression of FGFR signaling alone in the presence of bacteria significantly upregulated inflammatory mediator levels indicating that it might control an inhibitory pathway when triggered individually.ConclusionsUnlike TLRs, EGF/FGF/PDGF receptors collectively play a significant role in the inflammation and apoptosis of human oligodendrocytes as mediated by B. burgdorferi. It is likely that these three receptors need to be triggered simultaneously to achieve this effect.