In vivo analysis of oligodendrocyte lineage development in postnatal FGF2 null mice

A Glance at the Molecules That Regulate Oligodendrocyte Myelination

Oligodendrocyte (OL) myelination is a critical process for the neuronal axon function in the central nervous system. After demyelination occurs because of pathophysiology, remyelination makes repairs similar to myelination. Proliferation and differentiation are the two main stages in OL myelination, and most factors commonly play converse roles in these two stages, except for a few factors and signaling pathways, such as OLIG2 (Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2). Moreover, some OL maturation gene mutations induce hypomyelination or hypermyelination without an obvious function in proliferation and differentiation. Herein, three types of factors regulating myelination are reviewed in sequence.

Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 1 (LRP1) Is a Negative Regulator of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Differentiation in the Adult Mouse Brain

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is a large, endocytic cell surface receptor that is highly expressed by oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and LRP1 expression is rapidly downregulated as OPCs differentiate into oligodendrocytes (OLs). We report that the conditional deletion of Lrp1 from adult mouse OPCs (Pdgfrα-CreER :: Lrp1^fl/fl) increases the number of newborn, mature myelinating OLs added to the corpus callosum and motor cortex. As these additional OLs extend a normal number of internodes that are of a normal length, Lrp1-deletion increases adult myelination. OPC proliferation is also elevated following Lrp1 deletion in vivo, however, this may be a secondary, homeostatic response to increased OPC differentiation, as our in vitro experiments show that LRP1 is a direct negative regulator of OPC differentiation, not proliferation. Deleting Lrp1 from adult OPCs also increases the number of newborn mature OLs added to the corpus callosum in response to cuprizone-induced demyelination. These data suggest that the selective blockade of LRP1 function on adult OPCs may enhance myelin repair in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Function of Lymphocytes in Oligodendrocyte Development

Oligodendrocytes generate myelin sheaths to promote rapid neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS). During brain development, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are generated in the medial ganglionic eminence, lateral ganglionic eminence, and dorsal pallium. OPCs proliferate and migrate throughout the CNS at the embryonic stage. After birth, OPCs differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes, which then insulate axons. Oligodendrocyte development is regulated by the extrinsic environment including neurons, astrocytes, and immune cells. During brain development, B lymphocytes are present in the meningeal space, and are involved in oligodendrocyte development by promoting OPC proliferation. T lymphocytes mediate oligodendrocyte development during the remyelination process. Moreover, a subset of microglia contributes to oligodendrocyte development during the neonatal periods. Therefore, the immune system, especially lymphocytes and microglia, contribute to oligodendrocyte development during brain development and remyelination.

To Be or Not to Be: Environmental Factors that Drive Myelin Formation during Development and after CNS Trauma

Oligodendrocytes are specialized glial cells that myelinate central nervous system (CNS) axons. Historically, it was believed that the primary role of myelin was to compactly ensheath axons, providing the insulation necessary for rapid signal conduction. However, mounting evidence demonstrates the dynamic importance of myelin and oligodendrocytes, including providing metabolic support to neurons and regulating axon protein distribution. As such, the development and maintenance of oligodendrocytes and myelin are integral to preserving CNS homeostasis and supporting proper functioning of widespread neural networks. Environmental signals are critical for proper oligodendrocyte lineage cell progression and their capacity to form functional compact myelin; these signals are markedly disturbed by injury to the CNS, which may compromise endogenous myelin repair capabilities. This review outlines some key environmental factors that drive myelin formation during development and compares that to the primary factors that define a CNS injury milieu. We aim to identify developmental factors disrupted after CNS trauma as well as pathogenic factors that negatively impact oligodendrocyte lineage cells, as these are potential therapeutic targets to promote myelin repair after injury or disease.

Rapid Serum-Free Isolation of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells from Adult Rat Spinal Cord

Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) play a pivotal role in both health and disease within the central nervous system, with oligodendrocytes, arising from resident OPCs, being the main myelinating cell type. Disruption in OPC numbers can lead to various deleterious health defects. Numerous studies have described techniques for isolating OPCs to obtain a better understanding of this cell type and to open doors for potential treatments of injury and disease. However, the techniques used in the majority of these studies involve several steps and are time consuming, with current culture protocols using serum and embryonic or postnatal cortical tissue as a source of isolation. We present a primary culture method for the direct isolation of functional adult rat OPCs, identified by neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2) and platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFrα) expression, which can be obtained from the adult spinal cord. Our method uses a simple serum-free cocktail of 3 growth factors - FGF₂, PDGF_AA, and IGF-I, to expand adult rat OPCs in vitro to 96% purity. Cultured cells can be expanded for at least 10 passages with very little manipulation and without losing their phenotypic progenitor cell properties, as shown by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. Cultured adult rat OPCs also maintain their ability to differentiate into GalC positive cells when incubated with factors known to stimulate their differentiation. This new isolation method provides a new source of easily accessible adult stem cells and a powerful tool for their expansion in vitro for studies aimed at central nervous system repair.

EGF Enhances Oligodendrogenesis from Glial Progenitor Cells

Emerging evidence indicates that epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling plays a positive role in myelin development and repair, but little is known about its biological effects on the early generation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte (OL) lineage cells. In this study, we investigated the role of EGF in early OL development with isolated glial restricted precursor (GRP) cells. It was found that EGF collaborated with Platelet Derived Growth Factor-AA (PDGFaa) to promote the survival and self-renewal of GRP cells, but predisposed GRP cells to develop into O4^- early-stage oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in the absence of or PDGFaa. In OPCs, EGF synergized with PDGFaa to maintain their O4 negative antigenic phenotype. Upon PDGFaa withdrawal, EGF promoted the terminal differentiation of OPCs by reducing apoptosis and increasing the number of mature OLs. Together, these data revealed that EGF is an important mitogen to enhance oligodendroglial development.

Erythropoietin Ameliorates Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia-Induced Neurobehavioral Deficits, Neuroinflammation, and Hippocampal Injury in the Juvenile Rat

The hematopoietic growth factor erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to be neuroprotective against hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in Postnatal Day 7 (P7)–P10 or adult animal models. The current study was aimed to determine whether EPO also provides long-lasting neuroprotection against HI in P5 rats, which is relevant to immature human infants. Sprague-Dawley rats at P5 were subjected to right common carotid artery ligation followed by an exposure to 6% oxygen with balanced nitrogen for 1.5 h. Human recombinant EPO (rEPO, at a dose of 5 units/g) was administered intraperitoneally one hour before or immediately after insult, followed by additional injections at 24 and 48 h post-insult. The control rats were injected with normal saline following HI. Neurobehavioral tests were performed on P8 and P20, and brain injury was examined on P21. HI insult significantly impaired neurobehavioral performance including sensorimotor, locomotor activity and cognitive ability on the P8 and P20 rats. HI insult also resulted in brain inflammation (as indicated by microglia activation) and neuronal death (as indicated by Jade B positive staining) in the white matter, striatum, cortex, and hippocampal areas of the P21 rat. Both pre- and post-treatment with rEPO significantly improved neurobehavioral performance and protected against the HI-induced neuronal death, microglia activation (OX42+) as well as loss of mature oligodendrocytes (APC-CC1+) and hippocampal neurons (Nissl+). The long-lasting protective effects of rEPO in the neonatal rat HI model suggest that to exert neurotrophic activity in the brain might be an effective approach for therapeutic treatment of neonatal brain injury induced by hypoxia-ischemia.

Oligodendrocyte Development and Plasticity

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) originate in the ventricular zones (VZs) of the brain and spinal cord and migrate throughout the developing central nervous system (CNS) before differentiating into myelinating oligodendrocytes (OLs). It is not known whether OPCs or OLs from different parts of the VZ are functionally distinct. OPCs persist in the postnatal CNS, where they continue to divide and generate myelinating OLs at a decreasing rate throughout adult life in rodents. Adult OPCs respond to injury or disease by accelerating their cell cycle and increasing production of OLs to replace lost myelin. They also form synapses with unmyelinated axons and respond to electrical activity in those axons by generating more OLs and myelin locally. This experience-dependent "adaptive" myelination is important in some forms of plasticity and learning, for example, motor learning. We review the control of OL lineage development, including OL population dynamics and adaptive myelination in the adult CNS.

bFGF Protects Pre-oligodendrocytes from Oxygen/Glucose Deprivation Injury to Ameliorate Demyelination

One of the pathological hallmarks of periventricular white matter injury is the vulnerability of pre-oligodendrocytes (preOLs) to hypoxia-ischemia (HI). There is increasing evidence that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an important signaling molecule for neurogenesis and neuroprotection in the central nervous system. However, it is unknown whether bFGF protects preOLs from oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) damage in vitro and promotes remyelination in HI-induced rats. In this present study, bFGF exerted a protective effect on myelin by increasing the myelin thickness, the number of myelinated axons, and myelin basic protein expression in the HI-induced demyelinated neonatal rat corpus callosum. In vitro, bFGF ameliorated the impaired mitochondria and cell processes induced by OGD to promote the survival of isolated O4-positive preOLs. Additionally, the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) was dramatically up-regulated in the preOLs after bFGF administration in vivo and in vitro. Thus, bFGF-stimulated remyelination in HI-induced rats by protecting the preOLs from hypoxic injury, and the mechanism involved may be mediated by FGFR3.

Glial response during cuprizone-induced de- and remyelination in the CNS: lessons learned

Although astrogliosis and microglia activation are characteristic features of multiple sclerosis (MS) and other central nervous system (CNS) lesions the exact functions of these events are not fully understood. Animal models help to understand the complex interplay between the different cell types of the CNS and uncover general mechanisms of damage and repair of myelin sheaths. The so called cuprizone model is a toxic model of demyelination in the CNS white and gray matter, which lacks an autoimmune component. Cuprizone induces apoptosis of mature oligodendrocytes that leads to a robust demyelination and profound activation of both astrocytes and microglia with regional heterogeneity between different white and gray matter regions. Although not suitable to study autoimmune mediated demyelination, this model is extremely helpful to elucidate basic cellular and molecular mechanisms during de- and particularly remyelination independently of interactions with peripheral immune cells. Phagocytosis and removal of damaged myelin seems to be one of the major roles of microglia in this model and it is well known that removal of myelin debris is a prerequisite of successful remyelination. Furthermore, microglia provide several signals that support remyelination. The role of astrocytes during de- and remyelination is not well defined. Both supportive and destructive functions have been suggested. Using the cuprizone model we could demonstrate that there is an important crosstalk between astrocytes and microglia. In this review we focus on the role of glial reactions and interaction in the cuprizone model. Advantages and limitations of as well as its potential therapeutic relevance for the human disease MS are critically discussed in comparison to other animal models.

Secretome analysis of human oligodendrocytes derived from neural stem cells

In this study, we investigated the secretome of human oligodendrocytes (F3.Olig2 cells) generated from human neural stem cells by transduction with the gene encoding the Olig2 transcription factor. Using mRNA sequencing and protein cytokine arrays, we identified a number of biologically important secretory proteins whose expression has not been previously reported in oligodendrocytes. We found that F3.Olig2 cells secrete IL-6, PDGF-AA, GRO, GM-CSF, and M-CSF, and showed prominent expression of their corresponding receptors. Co-expression of ligands and receptors suggests that autocrine signaling loops may play important roles in both differentiation and maintenance of oligodendrocytes. We also found that F3.Olig2 cells secrete matrix metalloproteinases and matrix metalloproteinase-associated proteins associated with functional competence of oligodendrocytes. The results of our secretome analysis provide insights into the functional and molecular details of human oligodendrocytes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic analysis of the secretome of oligodendrocytes.

Promoting return of function in multiple sclerosis: An integrated approach

Multiple sclerosis is a disease characterized by inflammatory demyelination, axonal degeneration and progressive brain atrophy. Most of the currently available disease modifying agents proved to be very effective in managing the relapse rate, however progressive neuronal damage continues to occur and leads to progressive accumulation of irreversible disability. For this reason, any therapeutic strategy aimed at restoration of function must take into account not only immunomodulation, but also axonal protection and new myelin formation. We further highlight the importance of an holistic approach, which considers the variability of therapeutic responsiveness as the result of the interplay between genetic differences and the epigenome, which is in turn affected by gender, age and differences in life style including diet, exercise, smoking and social interaction.

The roles of PDGF in development and during neurogenesis in the normal and diseased nervous system

The four platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) ligands and PDGF receptors (PDGFRs), α and β (PDGFRA, PDGFRB), are essential proteins that are expressed during embryonic and mature nervous systems, i.e., in neural progenitors, neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and vascular cells. PDGF exerts essential roles from the gastrulation period to adult neuronal maintenance by contributing to the regulation of development of preplacodal progenitors, placodal ectoderm, and neural crest cells to adult neural progenitors, in coordinating with other factors. In adulthood, PDGF plays critical roles for maintenance of many specific cell types in the nervous system together with vascular cells through controlling the blood brain barrier homeostasis. At injury or various stresses, PDGF modulates neuronal excitability through adjusting various ion channels, and affecting synaptic plasticity and function. Furthermore, PDGF stimulates survival signals, majorly PI3-K/Akt pathway but also other ways, rescuing cells from apoptosis. Studies imply an involvement of PDGF in dendrite spine morphology, being critical for memory in the developing brain. Recent studies suggest association of PDGF genes with neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we will describe the roles of PDGF in the nervous system, from the discovery to recent findings, in order to understand the broad spectrum of PDGF in the nervous system. Recent development of pharmacological and replacement therapies targeting the PDGF system is discussed.

Signalling pathways that inhibit the capacity of precursor cells for myelin repair

In demyelinating disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), targets of injury are myelin and oligodendrocytes, leading to severe neurological dysfunction. Regenerative therapies aimed at promoting oligodendrocyte maturation and remyelination are promising strategies for treatment in demyelinating disorders. Endogenous precursor cells or exogenous transplanted cells are potential sources for remyelinating oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS). Several signalling pathways have been implicated in regulating the capacity of these cell populations for myelin repair. Here, we review neural precursor cells and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells as potential sources for remyelinating oligodendrocytes and evidence for the functional role of key signalling pathways in inhibiting regeneration from these precursor cell populations.

Reduced EGFR signaling in progenitor cells of the adult subventricular zone attenuates oligodendrogenesis after demyelination

Neural progenitor cells that express the NG2 proteoglycan are present in different regions of the adult mammalian brain where they display distinct morphologies and proliferative rates. In the developing postnatal and adult mouse, NG2(+) cells represent a major cell population of the subventricular zone (SVZ). NG2(+) cells divide in the anterior and lateral region of the SVZ, and are stimulated to proliferate and migrate out of the SVZ by focal demyelination of the corpus callosum (CC). Many NG2(+) cells are labeled by GFP-retrovirus injection into the adult SVZ, demonstrating that NG2(+) cells actively proliferate under physiological conditions and after demyelination. Under normal physiological conditions and after focal demyelination, proliferation of NG2(+) cells is significantly attenuated in wa2 mice, which are characterized by reduced signaling of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This results in reduced SVZ-to-lesion migration of NG2(+) cells and oligodendrogenesis in the lesion. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and EGFR ligands, such as heparin binding-EGF and transforming growth factor alpha, is upregulated in the SVZ after focal demyelination of the CC. EGF-induced oligodendrogenesis and myelin protein expression in wild-type SVZ cells in culture are significantly attenuated in wa2 SVZ cells. Our results demonstrate that the response of NG2(+) cells in the SVZ and their subsequent differentiation in CC after focal demyelination depend on EGFR signaling.

Intraventricular injection of FGF-2 promotes generation of oligodendrocyte-lineage cells in the postnatal and adult forebrain

FGF2 is considered a key factor in the generation of oligodendrocytes (OLs) derived from neural stem cells (NSCs) located within the subventricular zone (SVZ). Here, we have examined FGF2 signaling in the forebrain of postnatal and adult mice. Using qPCR of microdissected microdomains of the dorsal SVZ (dSVZ) and lateral SVZ (lSVZ), and prominin1-sorted NSCs purified from these microdomains, we show that transcripts for FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) and FGFR2 are enriched in the dSVZ, from which OLs are largely derived, whereas FGFR3 are significantly enriched within prominen1-sorted NSC of the lSVZ, which mainly generate olfactory interneurons. We show that direct administration of FGF2 into the lateral ventricle increased the generation of oligodendrocyte progenitors (OPCs) throughout the SVZ, both within the dSVZ and ectopically in the lSVZ and ependymal wall of the SVZ. Furthermore, FGF2 stimulated proliferation of neural progenitors (NPs) and their differentiation into OPCs. The results indicate that FGF2 increased specification of OPCs, inducing NPs to follow an oligodendrocyte developmental pathway. Notably, FGF2 did not block OPC differentiation and increased the number of oligodendrocytes in the periventricular white matter (PVWM) and cortex. However, FGF2 markedly disrupted myelination in the PVWM. A key finding was that FGF2 had equivalent actions on the generation of OPCs and myelin disruption in postnatal and adult mice. This study demonstrates a central role for FGF2 in promoting oligodendrocyte generation in the developing and adult brain.

Leukemia/lymphoma-related factor regulates oligodendrocyte lineage cell differentiation in developing white matter

Leukemia/lymphoma-related factor (LRF) is a zinc-finger transcription factor that regulates differentiation and oncogenesis in multiple tissues and cell lineages. The potential role for LRF in cells of the CNS has not been examined to date. This study shows prominent nuclear expression of LRF in diverse neuronal populations and in oligodendrocytes. We focused on examining the function of LRF during the transition from oligodendrocyte progenitor (OP) to mature oligodendrocyte that is associated with myelination in the postnatal spinal cord. During spinal cord myelination, LRF is expressed in only a minority of OP cells whereas most mature oligodendrocytes exhibited nuclear LRF immunoreactivity. Mice with floxed alleles of the Zbtb7a gene, which encodes for LRF protein, were used for in vivo analysis of LRF function. Lentiviral driven Cre recombinase inactivation of LRF at postnatal day 7 reduced the proportion of OP cells that differentiated into mature oligodendrocytes by postnatal day 28. Astrocyte populations were not altered by LRF deletion in the same tissues. These results indicate that LRF deletion reduces differentiation within the oligodendrocyte lineage and does not alter OP lineage choice. In vitro analysis confirmed a specific effect of LRF on OP differentiation. In neonatal OP cultures, RNA interference targeting LRF inhibited OP differentiation while LRF transduction was sufficient to induce differentiation into oligodendrocytes. These results support a critical role for LRF in transcriptional control of differentiation in oligodendrocyte lineage cells during developmental myelination in the CNS.

CXCL1 regulation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell migration is independent of calcium signaling

Cell migration is an indispensable aspect of tissue patterning during embryonic development. Oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the central nervous system, migrate significantly during development of the brain. Several growth factors have been identified as being critical regulators of oligodendrocyte progenitor migration, including platelet derived growth factor-A (PDGFA), and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2). Further, the chemokine CXCL1 has been shown to play a critical role in regulating the dispersal of oligodendrocyte progenitors during development, although the mechanisms underlying this regulation are unknown. Previous studies have also shown that calcium flux is required for oligodendrocyte progenitor migration. CXCL1 induces calcium flux in cells; therefore, we hypothesized that CXCL1 inhibition of oligodendrocyte progenitor migration is regulated via changes in intracellular calcium flux. The current study shows that CXCL1 inhibition of oligodendrocyte progenitor migration is independent of calcium signaling. Further, we show that CXCL1 inhibition of oligodendrocyte progenitor migration is specific to PDGFA induced migration. Finally, we show that CXCL1 inhibition of oligodendrocyte progenitor migration is independent of activation of the cell cycle. Our results provide intriguing results relevant to specific aspects of patterning of white matter tracts in the central nervous system, and may further the understanding of tissue remodeling seen during disease-related processes.

Levels of BDNF impact oligodendrocyte lineage cells following a cuprizone lesion

Previous work in culture has shown that basal forebrain (BF) oligodendrocyte (OLG) lineage cells respond to BDNF by increasing DNA synthesis and differentiation. Further, in the BF in vivo, reduced levels of BDNF as seen in BDNF(+/-) mice result in reduced numbers of NG2+ cells and deficits in myelin proteins throughout development and in the adult, suggesting that BDNF impacts the proliferating population of OLGs as well as differentiation in vivo. In this study, to investigate the roles BDNF may play in the repair of a demyelinating lesion, the cuprizone model was used and the corpus callosum was examined. BDNF protein levels were reduced after cuprizone treatment, suggesting that the demyelinating lesion itself elicits a decrease in BDNF. To analyze the effects of a further reduction of BDNF on OLG lineage cells following cuprizone, BDNF(+/-) mice were evaluated. These mice exhibited a blunted increase in the NG2 response at 4 and 5 weeks of cuprizone treatment. In addition, BDNF(+/-) mice exhibited decreased levels of myelin proteins during the demyelination and remyelination processes with no change in the total number of OLGs. These effects appear to be relatively specific to OLG lineage cells as comparable changes in CD11b+ microglia, GFAP+ astrocytes, and SMI32+ injured axons were not observed. These data indicate that BDNF may play a role following a demyelinating lesion by regulating the numbers of progenitors and the abilities of demyelinating and differentiating cells to express myelin proteins.

How factors secreted from astrocytes impact myelin repair

Over a century ago, hypertrophy of astrocytes was noted as a pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) and was hypothesized to play an important role in this disease, yet the contribution of astrocytes has been largely underemphasized in the pathophysiology of CNS demyelination. Astrocytes perform many homeostatic functions within the developing and adult CNS, including enhancing formation and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier, moderating neuronal connections through the tripartite synapse, and perhaps even offering intercellular communication independently of neurons. Although there is a significant body of literature characterizing different types of MS lesions, the inflammatory demyelination in an active MS lesion is accompanied by the presence of macrophages, lymphocytes, and large reactive astrocytes. The astrocyte has long been viewed as a cell that promotes inflammation and demyelination, while also forming the glial scar, thus hindering remyelination and axon growth. Renewed interest in the astrocyte has been brought about by recent studies demonstrating that astrocytes can also function as cellular mediators of CNS myelination by promoting oligodendrocyte progenitor migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Thus, refining our knowledge of astrocytic functions in the regulation of CNS myelination may help us to better understand why remyelination fails in MS.

Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGFR1) modulation regulates repair capacity of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells following chronic demyelination

The adult mammalian brain contains multiple populations of endogenous progenitor cell types. However, following CNS trauma or disease, the regenerative capacity of progenitor populations is typically insufficient and may actually be limited by non-permissive or inhibitory signals in the damaged parenchyma. Remyelination is the most effective and simplest regenerative process in the adult CNS yet is still insufficient following repeated or chronic demyelination. Our previous in vitro studies demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) signaling inhibited oligodendrocyte progenitor (OP) differentiation into mature oligodendrocytes. Therefore, we questioned whether FGFR1 signaling may inhibit the capacity of OP cells to generate oligodendrocytes in a demyelinating disease model and whether genetically reducing FGFR1 signaling in oligodendrocyte lineage cells could enhance the capacity for remyelination. FGFR1 was found to be upregulated in the corpus callosum during cuprizone mediated demyelination and expressed on OP cells just prior to remyelination. Plp/CreER(T):Fgfr1(fl/fl) mice were administered tamoxifen to induce conditional Fgfr1 deletion in oligodendrocyte lineage cells. Tamoxifen administration during chronic demyelination resulted in reduced FGFR1 expression in OP cells. OP proliferation and population size were not altered one week after tamoxifen treatment. Tamoxifen was then administered during chronic demyelination and mice were given a six week recovery period without cuprizone in the chow. After the recovery period, OP numbers were reduced and the number of mature oligodendrocytes was increased, indicating an effect of FGFR1 reduction on OP differentiation. Importantly, tamoxifen administration in Plp/CreER(T):Fgfr1(fl/fl) mice significantly promoted remyelination and axon integrity. These results demonstrate a direct effect of FGFR1 signaling in oligodendrocyte lineage cells as inhibiting the repair capacity of OP cells following chronic demyelination in the adult CNS.

Differential effects of growth factors on oligodendrocyte progenitor migration

Oligodendrocytes are myelinating cells of the CNS that originate as progenitor cells (OP) in discrete areas of the developing brain. During brain development, OP migrate significant distances prior to proliferating and myelinating the axons of the putative white matter tracts. Growth factors play a major regulatory role in the behavior of OP. Specifically, platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-A) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) are two of the most well characterized regulators of OP development. Both growth factors interact with tyrosine kinase receptors, activating various intracellular signaling pathways. The current study advances our earlier research by comparing the effects of both PDGF-A and FGF2 on OP migration. Our results show that activation of ERK is required for OP migration. These findings correlate well with our previous demonstration of the ERK pathway mediating PDGF-A induced OP migration. We also demonstrate the significance of threshold levels of growth factors and temporal regulation for OP migration. In addition, ERK activation alone is not sufficient to induce OP migration. The current research supports the involvement of the non-ERK mediated signaling pathway in OP migration.

Hes1 functions downstream of growth factors to maintain oligodendrocyte lineage cells in the early progenitor stage

Expansion of the progenitor pool of oligodendrocytes (OLs) is a critical process for obtaining appropriate amounts of mature myelin-forming OLs in the developing and regenerating central nervous system. In vitro, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2), together with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), is required to expand oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OLPs) in an unlimited manner, maintaining them in the early progenitor stage. However, the intracellular mechanisms that prevent OLP maturation remain elusive. In order to investigate these mechanisms, we established a mouse OLP primary culture, which enabled us to undertake biochemical analyses. We found that the suppressive effects on maturation of early OLP to the late O4(+) progenitor by PDGF+FGF2 treatment was abrogated by Mek inhibitor, while transfecting cells with a constitutively active Mek1 construct prevented OLP maturation, suggesting that the Mek-Erk pathway is implicated in the effects of the growth factor treatment. The activation of Mek-Erk pathway promoted proliferation of OLP suggesting that cell cycle progression has suppressive effects to the maturation of OLP. Furthermore, molecular screening using DNA microarrays revealed that Hes1, a negative regulator of bHLH transcription factors, is one of the downstream molecules induced by PDGF+FGF2 treatment. We confirmed that forced activation of Mek-Erk pathway is sufficient to induce Hes1 expression and that Hes1, in turn, exerts suppressive effects on the maturation of OL lineage by itself. Our observations thus indicate that Mek-Erk pathway plays pivotal role in preventing early OLP maturation to late OLPs and the effect is mediated by cell cycle progression as well as Hes1 induction.

Adult CST-null mice maintain an increased number of oligodendrocytes

The galactolipids galactocerebroside and sulfatide have been implicated in oligodendrocyte (OL) development and myelin formation. Much of the early evidence for myelin galactolipid function has been derived from antibody and chemical perturbation of OLs in vitro. To determine the role of these lipids in vivo, we previously characterized mice lacking galactocerebroside and sulfatide and observed abundant, unstable myelin and an increased number of OLs. We have also reported that mice incapable of synthesizing sulfatide (CST-null) while maintaining normal levels of galactocerebroside generate relatively stable myelin with unstable paranodes. Additionally, Hirahara et al. (2004; Glia 45:269-277) reported that these CST-null mice also contain an increased number of OLs in the forebrain, medulla, and cerebellum at 7 days of age. Here, we further the findings of Hirahara et al. by demonstrating that the number of OLs in the CST-null mice is also increased in the spinal cord and that this elevated OL population is maintained through, at least, 7 months of age. Moreover, we show that the enhanced OL population is accompanied by increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis of oligodendrocytic-lineage cells. Finally, through ultrastructural analysis, we show that the CST-null OLs exhibit decreased morphological complexity, a feature that may result in decreased OL competition and increased OL survival.

Inactivation of fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling in myelinating glial cells results in significant loss of adult spiral ganglion neurons accompanied by age-related hearing impairment

Hearing loss has been attributed to many factors, including degeneration of sensory neurons in the auditory pathway and demyelination along the cochlear nerve. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), which signal through four receptors (Fgfrs), are produced by auditory neurons and play a key role in embryonic development of the cochlea and in neuroprotection against sound-induced injury. However, the role of FGF signaling in the maintenance of normal auditory function in adult and aging mice remains to be elucidated. Furthermore, the contribution of glial cells, which myelinate the cochlear nerves, is poorly understood. To address these questions, we generated transgenic mice in which Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 were specifically inactivated in Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes but not in neurons. Adult mutant mice exhibited late onset of hearing impairment, which progressed markedly with age. The hearing impairment was accompanied by significant loss of myelinated spiral ganglion neurons. The pathology extended into the cochlear nucleus, without apparent loss of myelin or of the deletion-bearing glial cells themselves. This suggests that perturbation of FGF receptor-mediated glial function leads to the attenuation of glial support of neurons, leading to their loss and impairment of auditory functions. Thus, FGF/FGF receptor signaling provides a potentially novel mechanism of maintaining reciprocal interactions between neurons and glia in adult and aging animals. Dysfunction of glial cells and FGF receptor signaling may therefore be implicated in neurodegenerative hearing loss associated with normal aging.

The NG2 proteoglycan promotes oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation and developmental myelination

The NG2 proteoglycan has been shown to promote proliferation and motility in a variety of cell types. The presence of NG2 on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) suggests that the proteoglycan may be a factor in expansion of the OPC pool to fill the entire CNS prior to OPC differentiation to form myelinating oligodendrocytes. Comparisons of postnatal cerebellar myelination in wild type and NG2 null mice reveal reduced numbers of OPCs in developing white matter of the NG2 null mouse. Quantification of BrdU incorporation shows that reduced proliferation is a key reason for this OPC shortage, with the peak of OPC proliferation delayed by 4-5 days in the absence of NG2. As a result of the subnormal pool of OPCs, there is also a delay in production of mature oligodendrocytes and myelinating processes in the NG2 null cerebellum. NG2 may promote OPC proliferation via enhancement of growth factor signaling or mediation of OPC interaction with unmyelinated axons.

Interleukin-1beta-induced brain injury in the neonatal rat can be ameliorated by alpha-phenyl-n-tert-butyl-nitrone

To examine the possible role of inflammatory cytokines in mediating perinatal brain injury, we investigated effects of intracerebral injection of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on brain injury in the neonatal rat and the mechanisms involved. Intracerebral administration of IL-1beta (1 microg/kg) resulted in acute brain injury, as indicated by enlargement of ventricles bilaterally, apoptotic death of oligodendrocytes (OLs) and loss of OL immunoreactivity in the neonatal rat brain. IL-1beta also induced axonal and neuronal injury in the cerebral cortex as indicated by elevated expression of beta-amyloid precursor protein, short beaded axons and dendrites, and loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental areas. Administration of alpha-phenyl-n-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN, 100 mg/kg i.p.) immediately after the IL-1beta injection protected the brain from IL-1beta-induced injury. Protection of PBN was linked with the attenuated oxidative stress induced by IL-1beta, as indicated by decreased elevation of 8-isoprostane content and by the reduced number of 4-hydroxynonenal or malondialdehyde or nitrotyrosine-positive cells following IL-1beta exposure. PBN also attenuated IL-1beta-stimulated inflammatory responses as indicated by the reduced activation of microglia. The finding that IL-1beta induced perinatal brain injury was very similar to that induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as we previously reported and that PBN was capable to attenuate the injury induced by either LPS or IL-1beta suggests that IL-1beta may play a critical role in mediating brain injury associated with perinatal infection/inflammation.

Recent insights into PDGF-induced gliomagenesis

Gliomas are aggressive and almost incurable glial brain tumors which frequently display abnormal platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling. Evidence gained from studies on several in vivo animal models has firmly established a causal connection between aberrant PDGF signaling and the formation of some gliomas. However, only recently has significant knowledge been gained regarding crucial issues such as the glioma cell of origin and the relationship between the transforming stimulus and the cellular characteristics of the resulting tumor. Based on recent evidence, we propose that PDGF can bias cell-fate decisions, driving the acquisition of cell type-specific features by the progeny of multipotent neural progenitors, thus determining the shape and direction of the transformation path. Furthermore, recent data about the cellular mechanisms of PDGF-driven glioma progression and maintenance indicate that PDGF may be required, unexpectedly, to override cell contact inhibition and promote glioma cell infiltration rather than to stimulate cell proliferation.

alpha-Phenyl-n-tert-butyl-nitrone attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced brain injury and improves neurological reflexes and early sensorimotor behavioral performance in juvenile rats

Our previous study showed that treatment with alpha-phenyl-n-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN) after exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) reduced LPS-induced white matter injury in the neonatal rat brain. The object of the current study was to further examine whether PBN has long-lasting protective effects and ameliorates LPS-induced neurological dysfunction. Intracerebral (i.c.) injection of LPS (1 mg/kg) was performed in postnatal day (P) 5 Sprague Dawley rat pups and PBN (100 mg/kg) or saline was administered intraperitoneally 5 min after LPS injection. The control rats were injected (i.c.) with sterile saline. Neurobehavioral tests were carried out from P3 to P21, and brain injury was examined after these tests. LPS exposure resulted in severe brain damage, including enlargement of ventricles bilaterally, loss of mature oligodendrocytes, impaired myelination as indicated by the decrease in myelin basic protein immunostaining, and alterations in dendritic processes in the cortical gray matter of the parietal cortex. Electron microscopic examination showed that LPS exposure caused impaired myelination as indicated by the disintegrated myelin sheaths in the juvenile rat brain. LPS administration also significantly affected neurobehavioral functions such as performance in righting reflex, wire hanging maneuver, cliff avoidance, negative geotaxis, vibrissa-elicited forelimb-placing test, beam walking, and gait test. Treatment with PBN, a free radical scavenger and antioxidant, provided protection against LPS-induced brain injury and associated neurological dysfunction in juvenile rats, suggesting that antioxidation might be an effective approach for therapeutic treatment of neonatal brain injury induced by infection/inflammation.

Physiological role of basic FGF in peripheral nerve development and regeneration: potential for reconstruction approaches

According to expression studies and functional analyses in mutant mice and in rats, FGF-2 appears to be specifically involved during development of peripheral nerves and in de-/re-generating processes at the lesion site and in spinal ganglia. In the absence of FGF receptor (FGFR)3, axonal and myelin diameters of peripheral nerves are significantly reduced, suggesting that FGFR3 physiologically regulates axonal development. The normally occurring neuronal cell death in spinal ganglia after peripheral nerve axotomy does not take place in FGF-2 and FGFR3-deleted mice, respectively, suggesting that injury-induced apoptosis is mediated via FGF-2 binding to FGFR3. According to a bimodal function of FGF-2, lesion-induced neuron death in rat spinal ganglia can be prevented by application of FGF-2 to the proximal nerve stump, which could be mediated via FGFR1/2. At the lesion site, FGF-2 appears to be involved in stimulating Schwann cell proliferation, promoting neurite outgrowth, especially of sensory nerve fibers, and regulating remyelination.

alpha-Phenyl-n-tert-butyl-nitrone reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced white matter injury in the neonatal rat brain

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced white matter injury in the neonatal rat brain is at least partially associated with oxidative stress. alpha-Phenyl-n-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN) (100 mg/kg) significantly attenuated LPS (1 mg/kg)-induced brain injury, as indicated by the reduction in bilateral ventricular enlargement, apoptotic cell death of oligodendrocytes (OLs), and the loss of OL immunoreactivity in the neonatal rat brain. Protection of PBN was linked with the attenuated oxidative stress induced by LPS, as indicated by the decreased elevation of 8-isoprostane content and by the reduced number of 4-hydroxynonenal or malondialdehyde positive OLs following LPS exposure. Interestingly, while LPS exposure elevated, rather than depleted, levels of the reduced glutathione (GSH) and the GSH/GSSG (oxidized form) ratio, LPS exposure significantly suppressed glutathione peroxidase activity in the rat brain. PBN attenuated LPS-induced alterations in glutathione homeostasis in the rat brain. Additionally, the inflammatory responses were also reduced in the PBN-treated brain, as indicated by the decreased number of activated microglia following LPS exposure and by the consequently decreased elevation of interleukin1-beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha contents in the rat brain. The overall results suggest that antioxidant PBN, more than a straightforward free radical scavenger, may also involve anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties in protection of the neonatal rat brain from LPS-induced injury.

Systemic 5-fluorouracil treatment causes a syndrome of delayed myelin destruction in the central nervous system

BACKGROUND

Cancer treatment with a variety of chemotherapeutic agents often is associated with delayed adverse neurological consequences. Despite their clinical importance, almost nothing is known about the basis for such effects. It is not even known whether the occurrence of delayed adverse effects requires exposure to multiple chemotherapeutic agents, the presence of both chemotherapeutic agents and the body's own response to cancer, prolonged damage to the blood-brain barrier, inflammation or other such changes. Nor are there any animal models that could enable the study of this important problem.

RESULTS

We found that clinically relevant concentrations of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; a widely used chemotherapeutic agent) were toxic for both central nervous system (CNS) progenitor cells and non-dividing oligodendrocytes in vitro and in vivo. Short-term systemic administration of 5-FU caused both acute CNS damage and a syndrome of progressively worsening delayed damage to myelinated tracts of the CNS associated with altered transcriptional regulation in oligodendrocytes and extensive myelin pathology. Functional analysis also provided the first demonstration of delayed effects of chemotherapy on the latency of impulse conduction in the auditory system, offering the possibility of non-invasive analysis of myelin damage associated with cancer treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our studies demonstrate that systemic treatment with a single chemotherapeutic agent, 5-FU, is sufficient to cause a syndrome of delayed CNS damage and provide the first animal model of delayed damage to white-matter tracts of individuals treated with systemic chemotherapy. Unlike that caused by local irradiation, the degeneration caused by 5-FU treatment did not correlate with either chronic inflammation or extensive vascular damage and appears to represent a new class of delayed degenerative damage in the CNS.

Musashi1 RNA-binding protein regulates oligodendrocyte lineage cell differentiation and survival

Expression of Musashi1 (Msi1), an evolutionarily conserved RNA‐binding protein, in neural stem cells of the subventricular zone in the postnatal and adult CNS indicates a potential role in the generation of oligodendrocytes. We now show Msi1 expression in a subset of oligodendrocyte progenitor (OP) cells in white matter areas temporally and spatially associated with oligodendrogenesis in the postnatal CNS. Msi1 function was evaluated by infection of OP cells with retroviral transduction of Msi1 or knockdown of endogenous Msi1. Retroviral expression of Msi1 significantly reduced the proportion of mature oligodendrocytes generated from OP cells in vitro and in vivo during myelination. Msi1 transduction also promoted OP survival, particularly under conditions of challenge from oxidative stress, while Msi1 siRNA knockdown resulted in dramatic OP cell death. Furthermore, in experimental demyelination Msi1 expression was increased among cells associated with lesions, including OP cells, indicating a potential role in the generation of remyelinating oligodendrocytes. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Phosphatase and tensin homolog, deleted on chromosome 10 deficiency in brain causes defects in synaptic structure, transmission and plasticity, and myelination abnormalities

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway modulates growth, proliferation and cell survival in diverse tissue types and plays specialized roles in the nervous system including influences on neuronal polarity, dendritic branching and synaptic plasticity. The tumor-suppressor phosphatase with tensin homology (PTEN) is the central negative regulator of the PI3K pathway. Germline PTEN mutations result in cancer predisposition, macrocephaly and benign hamartomas in many tissues, including Lhermitte-Duclos disease, a cerebellar growth disorder. Neurological abnormalities including autism, seizures and ataxia have been observed in association with inherited PTEN mutation with variable penetrance. It remains unclear how loss of PTEN activity contributes to neurological dysfunction. To explore the effects of Pten deficiency on neuronal structure and function, we analyzed several ultra-structural features of Pten-deficient neurons in Pten conditional knockout mice. Using Golgi stain to visualize full neuronal morphology, we observed that increased size of nuclei and somata in Pten-deficient neurons was accompanied by enlarged caliber of neuronal projections and increased dendritic spine density. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed enlarged abnormal synaptic structures in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Severe myelination defects included thickening and unraveling of the myelin sheath surrounding hypertrophic axons in the corpus callosum. Defects in myelination of axons of normal caliber were observed in the cerebellum, suggesting intrinsic abnormalities in Pten-deficient oligodendrocytes. We did not observe these abnormalities in wild-type or conditional Pten heterozygous mice. Moreover, conditional deletion of Pten drastically weakened synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity at excitatory synapses between CA3 and CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus. These data suggest that Pten is involved in mechanisms that control development of neuronal and synaptic structures and subsequently synaptic function.

Differentiation of oligodendrocytes in neurospheres derived from embryonic rat brain using growth and differentiation factors

Studies on the isolation and propagation of multipotent neural precursors as neurospheres suggest their potential use in the reconstitution of neurons and oligodendrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases. To ensure that an adequate number of functionally relevant cells are present after transplantation, in vitro manipulation of cell fate before transplantation may be necessary to control the terminal phenotype of these cells. Using growth factors known to have a role in oligodendrocyte development such as sonic hedgehog, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), we have tried to increase the number of oligodendroglia derived from E18 cortical neurospheres. We have shown that although all of the growth factor combinations induce the formation of oligodendroglia, they do so in varying proportions, with PDGF favouring the formation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and sonic hedgehog favouring the formation of mature oligodendrocytes. To further enhance the generation of oligodendroglia we exposed neurospheres to B104-cell conditioned medium (B104 CM). Long-term growth of the neurospheres in this B104 CM increased markedly the number of cells committed to the oligodendrocyte lineage, specifically oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. These were then referred to as oligospheres. Our results suggest that the oligosphere culture system may provide a valuable source of cells for the reconstitution of oligodendrocytes in neurologic disorders.

Interaction of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and notch signaling components in inhibition of oligodendrocyte progenitor (OP) differentiation

Oligodendrocyte progenitor (OP) cell differentiation is a critical process of developmental myelination, tumor formation, and remyelination in the CNS. Activation of the fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) or notch pathway can inhibit differentiation of OP cells. The current study examines the interaction of FGF2 and notch signaling components in regulating OP differentiation. Cultured neonatal rat brain OP cells were used for transfection-based promoter assays and for infection with retroviruses expressing a GFP reporter to monitor OP differentiation into oligodendrocytes or astrocytes. FGF2 treatment resulted in a four-fold increase of transcriptional activity from the promoter region of Hes5, a notch pathway target gene. FGF2 inhibition of OP differentiation into oligodendrocytes was perturbed by retroviral expression of a dominant negative construct for mastermind-like 1, which is an important co-activator of transcription for notch target genes. OP differentiation into oligodendrocytes was reduced by co-culture with fibroblasts expressing Jagged1, a ligand for notch receptors. This Jagged1 inhibition of OP differentiation was not altered by retroviral expression of a dominant negative FGF receptor construct. Constitutive activation of notch signaling, by retroviral expression of the Notch1 intracellular domain, greatly reduced OP differentiation into either oligodendrocytes or astrocytes and did not require FGF2 signaling. These findings indicate that inhibition of OP differentiation through the Notch1 pathway was not influenced by FGF2 signaling. However, FGF2 signaling may interact with down stream components of the notch signaling pathway, including mastermind-like1 and Hes5, to inhibit OP differentiation into oligodendrocytes.

Loss of erbB signaling in oligodendrocytes alters myelin and dopaminergic function, a potential mechanism for neuropsychiatric disorders

Several psychiatric disorders are associated with white matter defects, suggesting that oligodendrocyte (OL) abnormalities underlie some aspects of these diseases. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) and its receptor, erbB4, are genetically linked with susceptibility to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In vitro studies suggest that NRG1-erbB signaling is important for OL development. To test whether erbB signaling contributes to psychiatric disorders by regulating the structure or function of OLs, we analyzed transgenic mice in which erbB signaling is blocked in OLs in vivo. Here we show that loss of erbB signaling leads to changes in OL number and morphology, reduced myelin thickness, and slower conduction velocity in CNS axons. Furthermore, these transgenic mice have increased levels of dopamine receptors and transporters and behavioral alterations consistent with neuropsychiatric disorders. These results indicate that defects in white matter can cause alterations in dopaminergic function and behavior relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders.

Mice with conditional inactivation of fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 signaling in oligodendrocytes have normal myelin but display dramatic hyperactivity when combined with Cnp1 inactivation

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (Fgfr) comprise a widely expressed family of developmental regulators implicated in oligodendrocyte (OL) maturation of the CNS. Fgfr2 is expressed by OLs in myelinated fiber tracks. In vitro, Fgfr2 is highly upregulated during OL terminal differentiation, and its activation leads to enhanced growth of OL processes and the formation of myelin-like membranes. To investigate the in vivo function of Fgfr2 signaling by myelinating glial cells, we inactivated the floxed Fgfr2 gene in mice that coexpress Cre recombinase (cre) as a knock-in gene into the OL-specific 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (Cnp1) locus. Surprisingly, no obvious defects were detected in brain development of these conditional mutants, including the number of OLs, the onset and extent of myelination, the ultrastructure of myelin, and the expression level of myelin proteins. However, unexpectedly, a subset of these conditional Fgfr2 knock-out mice that are homozygous for cre and therefore are also Cnp1 null, displayed a dramatic hyperactive behavior starting at approximately 2 weeks of age. This hyperactivity was abolished by treatment with dopamine receptor antagonists or catecholamine biosynthesis inhibitors, suggesting that the symptoms involve a dysregulation of the dopaminergic system. Although the molecular mechanisms are presently unknown, this novel mouse model of hyperactivity demonstrates the potential involvement of OLs in neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as the nonpredictable role of genetic interactions in the behavioral phenotype of mice.

Retroviral lineage analysis of fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling in FGF2 inhibition of oligodendrocyte progenitor differentiation

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) inhibits oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) differentiation during development and limits remyelination following chronic demyelination. The current study examines the mechanism underlying this effect of FGF2 expression on OPC differentiation. Retroviral lineage tracing demonstrates a direct in vivo effect of FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling on OPC differentiation. Retrovirus expressing a dominant negative FGFR construct (FGFRdn) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) was injected into the dorsal columns of postnatal day 7 (P7) mice followed by perfusion at P28. Among the GFP-labeled cells, FGFRdn retrovirus generated a higher proportion of oligodendrocytes than did control infections. This result from FGFRdn expression in OPCs was similar to the result obtained in our previous study using control retrovirus in FGF2 null mice. Further, in vitro retroviral siRNA expression distinguishes the function of specific FGFR isoforms in OPC responses to FGF2. FGF2 inhibition of OPC differentiation was effectively blocked by siRNA targeted to FGFR1, but not FGFR2 or FGFR3. We propose a model of direct FGF2 activation of FGFR1 leading to inhibition of OPC differentiation. This signaling pathway may be an important regulator of oligodendrocyte generation during myelination in development and may perturb OPC generation of remyelinating oligodendrocytes in demyelinating disease.

Anosmin-1 modulates the FGF-2-dependent migration of oligodendrocyte precursors in the developing optic nerve

Oligodendrocyte precursors (OPCs) originate at specific domains within the neural tube before migrating to colonize the entire CNS. Once in their target areas, these cells differentiate into oligodendrocytes, the myelin-forming cells in the CNS. Using the embryonic mouse optic nerve as an experimental model, we have analyzed the influence of FGF-2 on OPC development. FGF-2 exerts a dose-dependent motogenic effect on the migration of plp-dm20+ and it also acts as a chemoattractant on these cells. These effects produced by FGF-2 are principally mediated by the FGFR1 receptor, which is expressed by OPCs. Anosmin-1 is the protein that is defective in the X-linked form of human Kallmann syndrome. This protein is expressed by retinal axons and it also interacts with FGFR1, thereby impairing the migration of OPCs. Because both Anosmin-1 and FGF-2 are present in the optic nerve in vivo, we propose a model whereby the relative concentration of these two proteins modulates the migration of OPCs during development through their interaction with FGFR1. This FGF-2/FGFR1/Anosmin-1 system may be relevant in the context of demyelinating diseases.

Minocycline attenuates hypoxia-ischemia-induced neurological dysfunction and brain injury in the juvenile rat

To investigate whether minocycline provides long-lasting protection against neonatal hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain injury and neurobehavioral deficits, minocycline was administered intraperitoneally in postnatal day 4 Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to bilateral carotid artery occlusion followed by exposure to hypoxia (8% oxygen for 15 min). Brain injury and myelination were examined on postnatal day 21 (P21) and tests for neurobehavioral toxicity were performed from P3 to P21. Hypoxic-ischemic insults resulted in severe white matter injury, enlarged ventricles, deficits in the hippocampus, reduction in numbers of mature oligodendrocytes and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons, damage to axons and dendrites, and impaired myelination, as indicated by the decrease in myelin basic protein immunostaining in the P21 rat brain. Hypoxic-ischemic insult also significantly affected physical development (body weight gain and eye opening) and neurobehavioral performance, including sensorimotor and locomotor function, anxiety and cognitive ability in the P21 rat. Treatments with minocycline significantly attenuated the hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain injury and improved neurobehavioral performance. The protection of minocycline was associated with its ability to reduce microglial activation. The present results show that minocycline has long-lasting protective effects in the neonatal rat brain in terms of both hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain injury and the associated neurological dysfunction.

Endogenous cell repair of chronic demyelination

In multiple sclerosis lesions, remyelination typically fails with repeated or chronic demyelinating episodes and results in neurologic disability. Acute demyelination models in rodents typically exhibit robust spontaneous remyelination that prevents appropriate evaluation of strategies for improving conditions of insufficient remyelination. In the current study, we used a mouse model of chronic demyelination induced by continuous ingestion of 0.2% cuprizone for 12 weeks. This chronic process depleted the oligodendrocyte progenitor population and impaired oligodendrocyte regeneration. Remyelination remained limited after removal of cuprizone from the diet. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) expression was persistently increased in the corpus callosum of chronically demyelinated mice as compared with nonlesioned mice. We used FGF2^−/− mice to determine whether removal of endogenous FGF2 promoted remyelination of chronically demyelinated areas. Wild-type and FGF2^−/− mice exhibited similar demyelination during chronic cuprizone treatment. Importantly, in contrast to wild-type mice, the FGF2^−/− mice spontaneously remyelinated completely during the recovery period after chronic demyelination. Increased remyelination in FGF2^−/− mice correlated with enhanced oligodendroglial regeneration. FGF2 genotype did not alter the density of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells or proliferating cells after chronic demyelination. These findings indicate that attenuating FGF2 created a sufficiently permissive lesion environment for endogenous cells to effectively remyelinate viable axons even after chronic demyelination.

Induction of oligodendrocyte progenitors in dorsal forebrain by intraventricular microinjection of FGF-2

During embryonic development, oligodendrocyte progenitors (OLPs) originate from the ventral forebrain under the regulation of Sonic hedgehog (Shh). Shh controls the expression of transcription factor Olig2, which is strongly implicated in OLP generation. Studies of mice deficient in Shh expression suggest, however, that an alternative pathway for OLP generation may exist. The generation of OLPs in dorsal forebrain has been suggested since treatment of dorsal-neural progenitor cells in culture with fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) results in OLP induction. To ask if dorsal induction of OLPs in embryonic forebrain can occur in vivo and if FGF-2 could initiate an alternative pathway of regulation, we used in utero microinjection of FGF-2 into the lateral ventricles of mouse fetal forebrain. A single injection of FGF-2 at E13.5 resulted in the expression of the OLP markers Olig2 and PDGFRalpha mRNA in dorsal forebrain ventricular and intermediate zones. However, FGF-2 did not induce dorsal expression of Shh, Patched1 or Nkx2.1, and co-injection of FGF-2 and a Shh inhibitor did not attenuate the induction of Olig2 and PDGFRalpha, suggesting that Shh signaling was not involved in this FGF-2-mediated dorsal induction. These results demonstrate that the dorsal embryonic forebrain in vivo has the potential to generate OLPs in the presence of normal positional cues and that this can be driven by FGF-2 independent of Shh signaling.

Remyelination strategies: New advancements toward a regenerative treatment in multiple sclerosis

Spontaneous remyelination and repair mechanisms in multiple sclerosis are mostly insufficient and contribute to clinical disability. Treatments improving these processes are not yet available but basic research in animal models has led to the proposal of several repair strategies. These include enhancement of the naturally occurring mechanisms, remyelination due to a change of the immune response, and transfer of myelinating cells. Despite the encouraging experimental findings and the constantly increasing knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of remyelination and remyelination failure, there remain many questions before this knowledge can be successfully translated into clinical trials.

Intrinsic and extrinsic inhibition of oligodendrocyte development by rat retina

Cell patterning in the vertebrate CNS reflects the combination of localized cell induction, migration and differentiation. A striking example of patterning is the myelination of visual system. In many species, retinal ganglion cell axons are myelinated in the optic nerve but are unmyelinated in the retina. Here, we confirm that rat and mouse retina lack oligodendrocytes and their precursors and identify multiple mechanisms that might contribute to their absence. Soluble cues from embryonic retina inhibit the induction of oligodendrocytes from neural stem cells and their differentiation from optic nerve precursors. This inhibition is mediated by retinal-derived BMPs. During development BMPs are expressed in the retina and addition of the BMP antagonist Noggin reversed retinal inhibition of oligodendrocyte development. The lack of retinal oligodendrocytes does not simply reflect expression of BMPs, since no oligodendrocytes or their precursors developed when embryonic retinal cells were grown in the presence of Noggin and/or inductive cues such as Shh and IGF-1. Similarly, injection of Noggin into the postnatal rat eye failed to induce oligodendrocyte differentiation. These data combined with the proposed inhibition of OPC migration by molecules selectively expressed at the nerve retina junction suggest that multiple mechanisms combine to suppress retinal myelination during development.

Minocycline alleviates hypoxic-ischemic injury to developing oligodendrocytes in the neonatal rat brain

The role of minocycline in preventing white matter injury, in particular the injury to developing oligodendrocytes was examined in a neonatal rat model of hypoxia-ischemia. Hypoxia-ischemia was achieved through bilateral carotid artery occlusion followed by exposure to hypoxia (8% oxygen) for 15 min in postnatal day 4 Sprague-Dawley rats. A sham operation was performed in control rats. Minocycline (45 mg/kg) or normal phosphate-buffered saline was administered intraperitoneally 12 h before and immediately after bilateral carotid artery occlusion+hypoxia and then every 24 h for 3 days. Nissl staining revealed pyknotic cells in the white matter area of the rat brain 1 and 5 days after hypoxia-ischemia. Hypoxia-ischemia insult also resulted in apoptotic oligodendrocyte cell death, loss of O4+ and O1+ oligodendrocyte immunoreactivity, and hypomyelination as indicated by decreased myelin basic protein immunostaining and by loss of mature oligodendrocytes in the rat brain. Minocycline significantly attenuated hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain injury. The protective effect of minocycline was associated with suppression of hypoxia-ischemia-induced microglial activation as indicated by the decreased number of activated microglia, which were also interleukin-1beta and inducible nitric oxide synthase expressing cells. The protective effect of minocycline was also linked with reduction in hypoxia-ischemia-induced oxidative and nitrosative stress as indicated by 4-hydroxynonenal and nitrotyrosine positive oligodendrocytes, respectively. The reduction in hypoxia-ischemia-induced oxidative stress was also evidenced by the decreases in the content of 8-isoprostane in the minocycline-treated hypoxia-ischemia rat brain as compared with that in the vehicle-treated hypoxia-ischemia rat brain. The overall results suggest that reduction in microglial activation may protect developing oligodendrocytes in the neonatal brain from hypoxia-ischemia injury.

Opposing actions of fibroblast growth factor-2 on early and late oligodendrocyte lineage cells in vivo

In vitro studies indicate that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) has diverse effects on cells of the early and late oligodendrocyte lineage. Here, we have examined this in vivo by comparing the actions of FGF2 on the developing and developed anterior medullary velum (AMV) of postnatal rats. FGF2, or saline vehicle in controls, was administered into the cerebrospinal fluid of anaesthetised rats between postnatal day (P)6 and P9 either for 1 day (1d), 2d, or 3d, and AMV were analysed at P8 or P9. Immunolabelling for NG2 was used to identify oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and Rip for premyelinating and myelin-forming oligodendrocytes. At P6-9, the AMV was clearly demarcated into myelinated caudal and premyelinated rostral areas. The caudal AMV was populated by differentiated myelin-forming oligodendrocytes and 'adult' OPCs, whilst the rostral AMV contained mixed populations of 'perinatal' OPCs, and both premyelinating and myelin-forming oligodendrocytes. Administration of FGF2 resulted in the accumulation of OPCs in both the developing and developed AMV. Notably, FGF2 had a bipartite action on premyelinating oligodendrocytes, at first dramatically expanding their population throughout the premyelinated and myelinated AMV, but subsequently causing the loss of these previously generated cells. In addition, FGF2 induced the loss of existing myelin-forming oligodendrocytes in the developed AMV, and arrested the generation of new myelin-forming cells in the developing AMV. This study provides evidence that FGF2 has opposing positive and negative actions on early and late oligodendrocyte lineage cells in vivo.