The effects of developmental and current niches on oligodendrocyte precursor dynamics and fate

Low sulfated heparan sulfate mimetic differentially affects repair in immune-mediated and toxin-induced experimental models of demyelination

There is an urgent need for therapies that target the multicellular pathology of central nervous system (CNS) disease. Modified, nonanticoagulant heparins mimic the heparan sulfate glycan family and are known regulators of multiple cellular processes. In vitro studies have demonstrated that low sulfated modified heparin mimetics (LS-mHeps) drive repair after CNS demyelination. Herein, we test LS-mHep7 (an in vitro lead compound) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and cuprizone-induced demyelination. In EAE, LS-mHep7 treatment resulted in faster recovery and rapidly reduced inflammation which was accompanied by restoration of animal weight. LS-mHep7 treatment had no effect on remyelination or on OLIG2 positive oligodendrocyte numbers within the corpus callosum in the cuprizone model. Further in vitro investigation confirmed that LS-mHep7 likely mediates its pro-repair effect in the EAE model by sequestering inflammatory cytokines, such as CCL5 which are upregulated during immune-mediated inflammatory attacks. These data support the future clinical translation of this next generation modified heparin as a treatment for CNS diseases with active immune system involvement.

The landscape of tumor cell states and spatial organization in H3-K27M mutant diffuse midline glioma across age and location

Histone 3 lysine27-to-methionine (H3-K27M) mutations most frequently occur in diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) of the childhood pons but are also increasingly recognized in adults. Their potential heterogeneity at different ages and midline locations is vastly understudied. Here, through dissecting the single-cell transcriptomic, epigenomic and spatial architectures of a comprehensive cohort of patient H3-K27M DMGs, we delineate how age and anatomical location shape glioma cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic features in light of the shared driver mutation. We show that stem-like oligodendroglial precursor-like cells, present across all clinico-anatomical groups, display varying levels of maturation dependent on location. We reveal a previously underappreciated relationship between mesenchymal cancer cell states and age, linked to age-dependent differences in the immune microenvironment. Further, we resolve the spatial organization of H3-K27M DMG cell populations and identify a mitotic oligodendroglial-lineage niche. Collectively, our study provides a powerful framework for rational modeling and therapeutic interventions.

Reciprocal Interactions between Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells and the Neurovascular Unit in Health and Disease

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are mostly known for their capability to differentiate into oligodendrocytes and myelinate axons. However, they have been observed to frequently interact with cells of the neurovascular unit during development, homeostasis, and under pathological conditions. The functional consequences of these interactions are largely unclear, but are increasingly studied. Although OPCs appear to be a rather homogenous cell population in the central nervous system (CNS), they present with an enormous potential to adapt to their microenvironment. In this review, it is summarized what is known about the various roles of OPC-vascular interactions, and the circumstances under which they have been observed.

Molecular and functional heterogeneity in dorsal and ventral oligodendrocyte progenitor cells of the mouse forebrain in response to DNA damage

In the developing mouse forebrain, temporally distinct waves of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) arise from different germinal zones and eventually populate either dorsal or ventral regions, where they present as transcriptionally and functionally equivalent cells. Despite that, developmental heterogeneity influences adult OPC responses upon demyelination. Here we show that accumulation of DNA damage due to ablation of citron-kinase or cisplatin treatment cell-autonomously disrupts OPC fate, resulting in cell death and senescence in the dorsal and ventral subsets, respectively. Such alternative fates are associated with distinct developmental origins of OPCs, and with a different activation of NRF2-mediated anti-oxidant responses. These data indicate that, upon injury, dorsal and ventral OPC subsets show functional and molecular diversity that can make them differentially vulnerable to pathological conditions associated with DNA damage.

Shaping of Regional Differences in Oligodendrocyte Dynamics by Regional Heterogeneity of the Pericellular Microenvironment

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are glial cells that differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes (OLs) to generate new myelin sheaths. While OPCs are distributed uniformly throughout the gray and white matter in the developing and adult brain, those in white matter proliferate and differentiate into oligodendrocytes at a greater rate than those in gray matter. There is currently lack of evidence to suggest that OPCs comprise genetically and transcriptionally distinct subtypes. Rather, the emerging view is that they exist in different cell and functional states, depending on their location and age. Contrary to the normal brain, demyelinated lesions in the gray matter of multiple sclerosis brains contain more OPCs and OLs and are remyelinated more robustly than those in white matter. The differences in the dynamic behavior of OL lineage cells are likely to be influenced by their microenvironment. There are regional differences in astrocytes, microglia, the vasculature, and the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We will discuss how the regional differences in these elements surrounding OPCs might shape their phenotypic variability in normal and demyelinated states.

Novel Tools and Investigative Approaches for the Study of Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells (NG2-Glia) in CNS Development and Disease

Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), also referred to as NG2-glia, are the most proliferative cell type in the adult central nervous system. While the primary role of OPCs is to serve as progenitors for oligodendrocytes, in recent years, it has become increasingly clear that OPCs fulfil a number of other functions. Indeed, independent of their role as stem cells, it is evident that OPCs can regulate the metabolic environment, directly interact with and modulate neuronal function, maintain the blood brain barrier (BBB) and regulate inflammation. In this review article, we discuss the state-of-the-art tools and investigative approaches being used to characterize the biology and function of OPCs. From functional genetic investigation to single cell sequencing and from lineage tracing to functional imaging, we discuss the important discoveries uncovered by these techniques, such as functional and spatial OPC heterogeneity, novel OPC marker genes, the interaction of OPCs with other cells types, and how OPCs integrate and respond to signals from neighboring cells. Finally, we review the use of in vitro assay to assess OPC functions. These methodologies promise to lead to ever greater understanding of this enigmatic cell type, which in turn will shed light on the pathogenesis and potential treatment strategies for a number of diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and gliomas.

Many roles for oligodendrocyte precursor cells in physiology and pathology

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are a fourth resident glial cell population in the mammalian central nervous system. They are evenly distributed throughout the gray and white matter and continue to proliferate and generate new oligodendrocytes (OLs) throughout life. They were understudied until a few decades ago when immunolabeling for NG2 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha revealed cells that are distinct from mature OLs, astrocytes, neurons, and microglia. In this review, we provide a summary of the known properties of OPCs with some historical background, followed by highlights from recent studies that suggest new roles for OPCs in certain pathological conditions.

Microglial neuropilin-1 promotes oligodendrocyte expansion during development and remyelination by trans-activating platelet-derived growth factor receptor

Nerve-glia (NG2) glia or oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are distributed throughout the gray and white matter and generate myelinating cells. OPCs in white matter proliferate more than those in gray matter in response to platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF AA), despite similar levels of its alpha receptor (PDGFRα) on their surface. Here we show that the type 1 integral membrane protein neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) is expressed not on OPCs but on amoeboid and activated microglia in white but not gray matter in an age- and activity-dependent manner. Microglia-specific deletion of Nrp1 compromised developmental OPC proliferation in white matter as well as OPC expansion and subsequent myelin repair after acute demyelination. Exogenous Nrp1 increased PDGF AA-induced OPC proliferation and PDGFRα phosphorylation on dissociated OPCs, most prominently in the presence of suboptimum concentrations of PDGF AA. These findings uncover a mechanism of regulating oligodendrocyte lineage cell density that involves trans-activation of PDGFRα on OPCs via Nrp1 expressed by adjacent microglia.

Life-long oligodendrocyte development and plasticity

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) originate in localized germinal zones in the embryonic neural tube, then migrate and proliferate to populate the entire central nervous system, both white and gray matter. They divide and generate myelinating oligodendrocytes (OLs) throughout postnatal and adult life. OPCs express NG2 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha subunit (PDGFRα), two functionally important cell surface proteins, which are also widely used as markers for OPCs. The proliferation of OPCs, their terminal differentiation into OLs, survival of new OLs, and myelin synthesis are orchestrated by signals in the local microenvironment. We discuss advances in our mechanistic understanding of paracrine effects, including those mediated through PDGFRα and neuronal activity-dependent signals such as those mediated through AMPA receptors in OL survival and myelination. Finally, we review recent studies supporting the role of new OL production and “adaptive myelination” in specific behaviours and cognitive processes contributing to learning and long-term memory formation. Our article is not intended to be comprehensive but reflects the authors’ past and present interests.

Oligodendroglial Energy Metabolism and (re)Myelination

Central nervous system (CNS) myelin has a crucial role in accelerating the propagation of action potentials and providing trophic support to the axons. Defective myelination and lack of myelin regeneration following demyelination can both lead to axonal pathology and neurodegeneration. Energy deficit has been evoked as an important contributor to various CNS disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Thus, dysregulation of energy homeostasis in oligodendroglia may be an important contributor to myelin dysfunction and lack of repair observed in the disease. This article will focus on energy metabolism pathways in oligodendroglial cells and highlight differences dependent on the maturation stage of the cell. In addition, it will emphasize that the use of alternative energy sources by oligodendroglia may be required to save glucose for functions that cannot be fulfilled by other metabolites, thus ensuring sufficient energy input for both myelin synthesis and trophic support to the axons. Finally, it will point out that neuropathological findings in a subtype of MS lesions likely reflect defective oligodendroglial energy homeostasis in the disease.

Semaphorins and Plexins in central nervous system patterning: the key to it all?

Semaphorins and Plexins constitute one of the largest family of guidance molecules and receptors involved in setting critical biological steps for central nervous system development. The role of these molecules in axonal development has been extensively characterized but Semaphorins and Plexins are also involved in a variety of other developmental processes, spanning from cell polarization to migration, laminar segregation and neuronal maturation. In this review, we aim to gather discoveries carried in the field of neurodevelopment over the last decade, during which Semaphorin/Plexin complexes have emerged as key regulators of neurogenesis, neural cell migration and adult gliogenesis. As well, we report mechanisms that brought a better understanding of axonal midline crossing.