Contribution of the oligodendrocyte lineage to CNS repair and neurodegenerative pathologies

Roles of palmitoylation in axon growth, degeneration and regeneration

The protein-lipid modification palmitoylation plays important roles in neurons, but most attention has focused on roles of this modification in the regulation of mature pre- and post-synapses. However, exciting recent findings suggest that palmitoylation is also critical for both the growth and integrity of neuronal axons and plays previously unappreciated roles in conveying axonal anterograde and retrograde signals. Here we review these emerging roles for palmitoylation in the regulation of axons in health and disease. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The contribution of oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to central nervous system repair in multiple sclerosis: perspectives for remyelination therapeutic strategies

Oligodencrocytes (OLs) are the main glial cells of the central nervous system involved in myelination of axons. In multiple sclerosis (MS), there is an imbalance between demyelination and remyelination processes, the last one performed by oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and OLs, resulting into a permanent demyelination, axonal damage and neuronal loss. In MS lesions, astrocytes and microglias play an important part in permeabilization of blood-brain barrier and initiation of OPCs proliferation. Migration and differentiation of OPCs are influenced by various factors and the process is finalized by insufficient acummulation of OLs into the MS lesion. In relation to all these processes, the author will discuss the potential targets for remyelination strategies.

Glutamate signalling: A multifaceted modulator of oligodendrocyte lineage cells in health and disease

Myelin is essential for the mammalian brain to function efficiently. Whilst many factors have been associated with regulating the differentiation of oligodendroglia and myelination, glutamate signalling might be particularly important for learning-dependent myelination. The majority of myelinated projection neurons are glutamatergic. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells receive glutamatergic synaptic inputs from unmyelinated axons and oligodendrocyte lineage cells express glutamate receptors which enable them to monitor and respond to changes in neuronal activity. Yet, what role glutamate plays for oligodendroglia is not fully understood. Here, we review glutamate signalling and its effects on oligodendrocyte lineage cells, and myelination in health and disease. Furthermore, we discuss whether glutamate signalling between neurons and oligodendroglia might lay the foundation to activity-dependent white matter plasticity. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Oligodendrocytes in Health and Disease'.