Age-Dependent Netrin-1 Signaling Regulates NG2+ Glial Cell Spatial Homeostasis in Normal Adult Gray Matter

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells stop sensory axons regenerating into the spinal cord

Primary somatosensory axons stop regenerating as they re-enter the spinal cord, resulting in incurable sensory loss. What arrests them has remained unclear. We previously showed that axons stop by forming synaptic contacts with unknown non-neuronal cells. Here, we identified these cells in adult mice as oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). We also found that only a few axons stop regenerating by forming dystrophic endings, exclusively at the CNS:peripheral nervous system (PNS) borderline where OPCs are absent. Most axons stop in contact with a dense network of OPC processes. Live imaging, immuno-electron microscopy (immuno-EM), and OPC-dorsal root ganglia (DRG) co-culture additionally suggest that axons are rapidly immobilized by forming synapses with OPCs. Genetic OPC ablation enables many axons to continue regenerating deep into the spinal cord. We propose that sensory axons stop regenerating by encountering OPCs that induce presynaptic differentiation. Our findings identify OPCs as a major regenerative barrier that prevents intraspinal restoration of sensory circuits following spinal root injury.

APPlications of amyloid-β precursor protein metabolites in macrocephaly and autism spectrum disorder

Metabolites of the Amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) proteolysis may underlie brain overgrowth in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We have found elevated APP metabolites (total APP, secreted (s) APPα, and α-secretase adamalysins in the plasma and brain tissue of children with ASD). In this review, we highlight several lines of evidence supporting APP metabolites' potential contribution to macrocephaly in ASD. First, APP appears early in corticogenesis, placing APP in a prime position to accelerate growth in neurons and glia. APP metabolites are upregulated in neuroinflammation, another potential contributor to excessive brain growth in ASD. APP metabolites appear to directly affect translational signaling pathways, which have been linked to single gene forms of syndromic ASD (Fragile X Syndrome, PTEN, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex). Finally, APP metabolites, and microRNA, which regulates APP expression, may contribute to ASD brain overgrowth, particularly increased white matter, through ERK receptor activation on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/Rho GTPase pathway, favoring myelination.

NG2-glia crosstalk with microglia in health and disease

Neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly becoming a global problem. However, the pathological mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases are not fully understood. NG2‐glia abnormalities and microglia activation are involved in the development and/or progression of neurodegenerative disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cerebrovascular diseases. In this review, we summarize the present understanding of the interaction between NG2‐glia and microglia in physiological and pathological states and discuss unsolved questions concerning their fate and potential fate. First, we introduce the NG2‐glia and microglia in health and disease. Second, we formulate the interaction between NG2‐glia and microglia. NG2‐glia proliferation, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis are influenced by factors released from the microglia. On the other hand, NG2‐glia also regulate microglia actions. We conclude that NG2‐glia and microglia are important immunomodulatory cells in the brain. Understanding the interaction between NG2‐glia and microglia will help provide a novel method to modulate myelination and treat neurodegenerative disorders.

Chronic stress disrupts the homeostasis and progeny progression of oligodendroglial lineage cells, associating immune oligodendrocytes with prefrontal cortex hypomyelination

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic debilitating illness affecting yearly 300 million people worldwide. Oligodendrocyte-lineage cells have emerged as important neuromodulators in synaptic plasticity and crucial components of MDD pathophysiology. Using the repeated social defeat (RSDS) mouse model, we demonstrate that chronic psychosocial stress induces long-lasting losses and transient proliferation of oligodendrocyte-precursor cells (OPCs), aberrant differentiation into oligodendrocytes, and severe hypomyelination in the prefrontal cortex. Exposure to chronic stress results in OPC morphological impairments, excessive oxidative stress, and oligodendroglial apoptosis, implicating integrative-stress responses in depression. Analysis of single-nucleus transcriptomic data from MDD patients revealed oligodendroglial-lineage dysregulation and the presence of immune-oligodendrocytes (Im-OL), a novel population of cells with immune properties and myelination deficits. Im-OL were also identified in mice after RSDS, where oligodendrocyte-lineage cells expressed immune-related markers. Our findings demonstrate cellular and molecular changes in the oligodendroglial lineage in response to chronic stress and associate hypomyelination with Im-OL emergence during depression.

Glial Patchwork: Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells and Astrocytes Blanket the Central Nervous System

Tiling is a developmental process where cell populations become evenly distributed throughout a tissue. In this review, we discuss the developmental cellular tiling behaviors of the two major glial populations in the central nervous system (CNS)—oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and astrocytes. First, we discuss OPC tiling in the spinal cord, which is comprised of the three cellular behaviors of migration, proliferation, and contact-mediated repulsion (CMR). These cellular behaviors occur simultaneously during OPC development and converge to produce the emergent behavior of tiling which results in OPCs being evenly dispersed and occupying non-overlapping domains throughout the CNS. We next discuss astrocyte tiling in the cortex and hippocampus, where astrocytes migrate, proliferate, then ultimately determine their exclusive domains by gradual removal of overlap rather than sustained CMR. This results in domains that slightly overlap, allowing for both exclusive control of “synaptic islands” and astrocyte-astrocyte communication. We finally discuss the similarities and differences in the tiling behaviors of these glial populations and what remains unknown regarding glial tiling and how perturbations to this process may impact injury and disease.

Met is required for oligodendrocyte progenitor cell migration in Danio rerio

During vertebrate central nervous system development, most oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) are specified in the ventral spinal cord and must migrate throughout the neural tube until they become evenly distributed, occupying non-overlapping domains. While this process of developmental OPC migration is well characterized, the nature of the molecular mediators that govern it remain largely unknown. Here, using zebrafish as a model, we demonstrate that Met signaling is required for initial developmental migration of OPCs, and, using cell-specific knock-down of Met signaling, show that Met acts cell-autonomously in OPCs. Taken together, these findings demonstrate in vivo, the role of Met signaling in OPC migration and provide new insight into how OPC migration is regulated during development.

Remyelination therapies for multiple sclerosis: optimizing translation from animal models into clinical trials

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Demyelination, the main pathology in MS, contributes to clinical symptoms and long-term neurological deficits if left untreated. Remyelination, the natural repair of damaged myelin by cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage, occurs in MS, but eventually fails in most patients as they age. Encouraging timely remyelination can restore axon conduction and minimize deficits.Areas covered: We discuss and correlate human MS pathology with animal models, propose methods to deplete resident oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) to determine whether mature oligodendrocytes support remyelination, and review remyelinating agents, mechanisms of action, and available clinical trial data.Expert opinion: The heterogeneity of human MS may limit successful translation of many candidate remyelinating agents; some patients lack the biological targets necessary to leverage current approaches. Development of therapeutics for remyelination has concentrated almost exclusively on mobilization of innate OPCs. However, mature oligodendrocytes appear an important contributor to remyelination in humans. Limiting the contribution of OPC mediated repair in models of MS would allow the evaluation of remyelination-promoting agents on mature oligodendrocytes. Among remyelinating reagents reviewed, only rHIgM22 targets both OPCs and mature oligodendrocytes.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) modulates oligodendrocyte progenitor cell architecture, proliferation and myelination

During Central Nervous System ontogenesis, myelinating oligodendrocytes (OLs) arise from highly ramified and proliferative precursors called oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). OPC architecture, proliferation and oligodendro-/myelino-genesis are finely regulated by the interplay of cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors. A variety of extrinsic cues converge on the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) pathway. Here we found that the germinal ablation of the MAPK c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase isoform 1 (JNK1) results in a significant reduction of myelin in the cerebral cortex and corpus callosum at both postnatal and adult stages. Myelin alterations are accompanied by higher OPC density and proliferation during the first weeks of life, consistent with a transient alteration of mechanisms regulating OPC self-renewal and differentiation. JNK1 KO OPCs also show smaller occupancy territories and a less complex branching architecture in vivo. Notably, these latter phenotypes are recapitulated in pure cultures of JNK1 KO OPCs and of WT OPCs treated with the JNK inhibitor D-JNKI-1. Moreover, JNK1 KO and WT D-JNKI-1 treated OLs, while not showing overt alterations of differentiation in vitro, display a reduced surface compared to controls. Our results unveil a novel player in the complex regulation of OPC biology, on the one hand showing that JNK1 ablation cell-autonomously determines alterations of OPC proliferation and branching architecture and, on the other hand, suggesting that JNK1 signaling in OLs participates in myelination in vivo.

Heterogeneity and Proliferative and Differential Regulators of NG2-glia in Physiological and Pathological States

NG2-glia, also called Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells (OPCs), account for approximately 5%-10% of the cells in the developing and adult brain and constitute the fifth major cell population in the central nervous system. NG2-glia express receptors and ion channels involved in rapid modulation of neuronal activities and signaling with neuronal synapses, which have functional significance in both physiological and pathological states. NG2-glia participate in quick signaling with peripheral neurons via direct synaptic touches in the developing and mature central nervous system. These distinctive glia perform the unique function of proliferating and differentiating into oligodendrocytes in the early developing brain, which is critical for axon myelin formation. In response to injury, NG2-glia can proliferate, migrate to the lesions, and differentiate into oligodendrocytes to form new myelin sheaths, which wrap around damaged axons and result in functional recovery. The capacity of NG2-glia to regulate their behavior and dynamics in response to neuronal activity and disease indicate their critical role in myelin preservation and remodeling in the physiological state and in repair in the pathological state. In this review, we provide a detailed summary of the characteristics of NG2-glia, including their heterogeneity, the regulators of their proliferation, and the modulators of their differentiation into oligodendrocytes.

Glia and Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells of the Healthy and Ischemic Brain: The Workplace for the Wnt Signaling Pathway

Wnt signaling plays an important role in the self-renewal, fate-commitment and survival of the neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) of the adult central nervous system (CNS). Ischemic stroke impairs the proper functioning of the CNS and, therefore, active Wnt signaling may prevent, ameliorate, or even reverse the negative effects of ischemic brain injury. In this review, we provide the current knowledge of Wnt signaling in the adult CNS, its status in diverse cell types, and the Wnt pathway’s impact on the properties of NS/PCs and glial cells in the context of ischemic injury. Finally, we summarize promising strategies that might be considered for stroke therapy, and we outline possible future directions of the field.

Plasticity in oligodendrocyte lineage progression: An OPC puzzle on our nerves

Myelin deposition in the central nervous system has been shown to be responsive to experience, with sensory enrichment increasing myelination and sensory or social deprivation decreasing myelination. This process is referred to as "adaptive myelination" or "myelin plasticity" and signifies an essential component of new learning. However, whether these experience-driven adaptations are driven by (a) underlying changes in the generation of myelinating cells, (b) altered interactions between myelin sheath and axon, or (c) a combination of the above remains unclear. It has been suggested that myelination largely follows an "innate" and automatic programme, allowing for a predictable pattern of central nervous system myelin deposition over time. Adaptive myelination is thought to account for more nuanced alterations that do not dramatically shift this pattern, but ultimately drive functional responses. This makes the study of myelin plasticity particularly difficult, as it necessitates being able to clearly and specifically draw boundaries between the innate and adaptive programme. Thus, the field requires a holistic understanding of the remit of innate myelin development, prior to investigation of adaptive myelination. This review will collate literature regarding different aspects of oligodendrocyte and myelin development (namely, oligodendrocyte proliferation, differentiation, death and myelin sheath formation) in an innate context, before discussing how these parameters are proposed to change under adaptive conditions. It is the hope that this review will highlight the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach towards studying both innate and adaptive forms of myelination.

Differential Modulators of NG2-Glia Differentiation into Neurons and Glia and Their Crosstalk

As the fifth main cell population in the brain, NG2-glia are also known as oligodendrocyte precursor cells. NG2-glia express receptors and ion channels for fast modulation of neuronal activities and signaling with neuronal synapses, which are of functional significance in both physiological and pathological states. NG2-glia also participate in fast signaling with peripheral neurons via direct synaptic contacts in the brain. These distinctive glia have the unique capability of proliferating and differentiating into oligodendrocytes, which are critical for axonal myelination in the early developing brain. In neurodegenerative diseases, NG2-glia play an important role and undergo morphological modification, adapt the expression of their membrane receptors and ion channels, and display gene-modulated cell reprogramming and excitotoxicity-caused cell death. These modifications directly and indirectly influence populations of neurons and other glial cells. NG2-glia regulate their action and dynamics in response to neuronal behavior and disease, indicating a critical function to preserve and remodel myelin in physiological states and to repair it in pathological states. Here, we review in detail the differential modulators of NG2-glia into neurons and astrocytes, as well as interactions of NG2-glia with neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. We will also summarize a future potential exploitation of NG2-glia.

NG2 glia regulate brain innate immunity via TGF-β2/TGFBR2 axis

BACKGROUND

Brain innate immunity is vital for maintaining normal brain functions. Immune homeostatic imbalances play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the regulation of brain innate immunity and their significance in PD pathogenesis are still largely unknown.

METHODS

Cre-inducible diphtheria toxin receptor (iDTR) and diphtheria toxin-mediated cell ablation was performed to investigate the impact of neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2) glia on the brain innate immunity. RNA sequencing analysis was carried out to identify differentially expressed genes in mouse brain with ablated NG2 glia and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mice were used to evaluate neuroinflammatory response in the presence or absence of NG2 glia. The survival of dopaminergic neurons or glial cell activation was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Co-cultures of NG2 glia and microglia were used to examine the influence of NG2 glia to microglial activation.

RESULTS

We show that NG2 glia are required for the maintenance of immune homeostasis in the brain via transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2)-TGF-β type II receptor (TGFBR2)-CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) signaling, which suppresses the activation of microglia. We demonstrate that mice with ablated NG2 glia display a profound downregulation of the expression of microglia-specific signature genes and remarkable inflammatory response in the brain following exposure to endotoxin lipopolysaccharides. Gain- or loss-of-function studies show that NG2 glia-derived TGF-β2 and its receptor TGFBR2 in microglia are key regulators of the CX3CR1-modulated immune response. Furthermore, deficiency of NG2 glia contributes to neuroinflammation and nigral dopaminergic neuron loss in MPTP-induced mouse PD model.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that NG2 glia play a critical role in modulation of neuroinflammation and provide a compelling rationale for the development of new therapeutics for neurological disorders.

Novel Contribution of Secreted Amyloid-β Precursor Protein to White Matter Brain Enlargement in Autism Spectrum Disorder

The most replicated neuroanatomical finding in autism is the tendency toward brain overgrowth, especially in younger children. Research shows that both gray and white matter are enlarged. Proposed mechanisms underlying brain enlargement include abnormal inflammatory and neurotrophic signals that lead to excessive, aberrant dendritic connectivity via disrupted pruning and cell adhesion, and enlargement of white matter due to excessive gliogenesis and increased myelination. Amyloid-β protein precursor (βAPP) and its metabolites, more commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), are also dysregulated in autism plasma and brain tissue samples. This review highlights findings that demonstrate how one βAPP metabolite, secreted APPα, and the ADAM family α-secretases, may lead to increased brain matter, with emphasis on increased white matter as seen in autism. sAPPα and the ADAM family α-secretases contribute to the anabolic, non-amyloidogenic pathway, which is in contrast to the amyloid (catabolic) pathway known to contribute to Alzheimer disease. The non-amyloidogenic pathway could produce brain enlargement via genetic mechanisms affecting mRNA translation and polygenic factors that converge on molecular pathways (mitogen-activated protein kinase/MAPK and mechanistic target of rapamycin/mTOR), promoting neuroinflammation. A novel mechanism linking the non-amyloidogenic pathway to white matter enlargement is proposed: α-secretase and/or sAPPα, activated by ERK receptor signaling activates P13K/AKt/mTOR and then Rho GTPases favoring myelination via oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) activation of cofilin. Applying known pathways in AD to autism should allow further understanding and provide options for new drug targets.

NG2 Glia: Novel Roles beyond Re-/Myelination

Neuron-glia antigen 2-expressing glial cells (NG2 glia) serve as oligodendrocyte progenitors during development and adulthood. However, recent studies have shown that these cells represent not only a transitional stage along the oligodendroglial lineage, but also constitute a specific cell type endowed with typical properties and functions. Namely, NG2 glia (or subsets of NG2 glia) establish physical and functional interactions with neurons and other central nervous system (CNS) cell types, that allow them to constantly monitor the surrounding neuropil. In addition to operating as sensors, NG2 glia have features that are expected for active modulators of neuronal activity, including the expression and release of a battery of neuromodulatory and neuroprotective factors. Consistently, cell ablation strategies targeting NG2 glia demonstrate that, beyond their role in myelination, these cells contribute to CNS homeostasis and development. In this review, we summarize and discuss the advancements achieved over recent years toward the understanding of such functions, and propose novel approaches for further investigations aimed at elucidating the multifaceted roles of NG2 glia.

Neuroprotection Exerted by Netrin-1 and Kinesin Motor KIF1A in Secondary Brain Injury following Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Rats

Binding of extracellular netrin-1 to its receptors, deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) and uncoordinated gene 5H2 (UNC5H2), inhibits apoptosis mediated by these receptors. A neuron-specific kinesin motor protein, KIF1A, has been shown to participate in netrin-1 secretion. This study aimed to identify the roles of netrin-1 and KIF1A in secondary brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and the potential mechanisms. An autologous blood ICH model was established in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, and cultured neurons were exposed to OxyHb to mimic ICH conditions in vitro. Mouse recombinant netrin-1, expression vectors encoding KIF1A, and KIF1A-specific siRNAs were administered intracerebroventricularly. After ICH, protein levels of netrin-1, DCC, and UNC5H2 increased, while protein levels of KIF1A decreased. Levels of UNC5H2 and DCC bound to netrin-1 increased after ICH but were significantly lower than the increase in total amount of protein. Administration of recombinant netrin-1 attenuated neuronal apoptosis and degeneration in ICH rats. Moreover, KIF1A overexpression increased concentrations of netrin-1 in cerebrospinal fluid and cell culture supernatant and exerted neuroprotective effects via netrin-1 and its receptor pathways. KIF1A plays a critical role in netrin-1 secretion by neurons. An increase in protein levels of netrin-1 may be a neuroprotective strategy after ICH. However, this process is almost completely abolished by ICH-induced loss of KIF1A. An exogenous increase of KIF1A may be a potential strategy for neuroprotection via the netrin-1 pathway.

Fractionation enhances acute oligodendrocyte progenitor cell radiation sensitivity and leads to long term depletion

Ionizing radiation (IR) is commonly used to treat central nervous system (CNS) cancers and metastases. While IR promotes remission, frequent side effects including impaired cognition and white matter loss occur following treatment. Fractionation is used to minimize these CNS late side effects, as it reduces IR effects in differentiated normal tissue, but not rapidly proliferating normal or tumor tissue. However, side effects occur even with the use of fractionated paradigms. Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) are a proliferative population within the CNS affected by radiation. We hypothesized that fractionated radiation would lead to OPC loss, which could contribute to the delayed white matter loss seen after radiation exposure. We found that fractionated IR induced a greater early loss of OPCs than an equivalent single dose exposure. Furthermore, OPC recovery was impaired following fractionated IR. Finally, reduced OPC differentiation and mature oligodendrocyte numbers occurred in single dose and fractionated IR paradigms. This work demonstrates that fractionation does not spare normal brain tissue and, importantly, highlights the sensitivity of OPCs to fractionated IR, suggesting that fractionated schedules may promote white matter dysfunction, a point that should be considered in radiotherapy.

Oligodendroglia-lineage cells in brain plasticity, homeostasis and psychiatric disorders

Adult oligodendrocyte progenitor cells are uniformly distributed in both gray and white matter, displaying robust proliferative and migratory potential during health and disease. Recently, developments in new experimental approaches have brought about several novel insights about NG2-glia and myelinating oligodendrocytes, indicating a diverse toolkit of functions in experience-dependent myelination and homeostasis in the adult CNS. In this review, we summarize some of the topical studies that highlight newly emerging findings implicating oligodendroglia-lineage cells in brain plasticity, homeostasis and pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Serum netrin-1 in relation to gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in early multiple sclerosis

Background

Netrin-1, a secreted laminin-related protein, is known to regulate not only axonal guidance and neuronal cell migration, but also blood–brain barrier integrity and inflammation. Two preliminary studies reported altered serum netrin-1 levels in multiple sclerosis; however, associations with longitudinal clinical and magnetic resonance imaging activity have not been investigated.

Objectives

We aimed to assess serum netrin-1 in multiple sclerosis and controls with respect to disease activity and its temporal dynamics.

Methods

Serum netrin-1 was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 79 patients with clinically isolated syndrome or multiple sclerosis, and 30 non-inflammatory neurological disease controls. In patients, serum samples were collected immediately prior to gadolinium-enhanced 3 T magnetic resonance imaging at two time points (initial contrast-enhancing gadolinium+ n = 47, non-enhancing gadolinium– n = 32; reference gadolinium– n = 70; median time-lag 1.4, interquartile range 1.0–2.3 years).

Results

Serum netrin-1 levels were similar in clinically isolated syndrome, multiple sclerosis and controls, and gadolinium+ and gadolinium– patients. Among gadolinium+ patients, serum netrin-1 was decreased in clinically active (n = 8) vs non-active patients (n = 39; p = 0.041). Serum netrin-1 showed no temporal dynamics in multiple sclerosis and was unrelated to clinical data.

Conclusions

Serum netrin-1 levels show no multiple sclerosis specific changes and are not sensitive for detection of subclinical disease activity. Netrin-1 changes during relapses may deserve further examination.

Impact of neonatal hypoxia-ischaemia on oligodendrocyte survival, maturation and myelinating potential

Hypoxic-ischaemic episodes experienced at the perinatal period commonly lead to a development of neurological disabilities and cognitive impairments in neonates or later in childhood. Clinical symptoms often are associated with the observed alterations in white matter in the brains of diseased children, suggesting contribution of triggered oligodendrocyte/myelin pathology to the resulting disorders. To date, the processes initiated by perinatal asphyxia remain unclear, hampering the ability to develop preventions. To address the issue, the effects of temporal hypoxia-ischaemia on survival, proliferation and the myelinating potential of oligodendrocytes were evaluated ex vivo using cultures of hippocampal organotypic slices and in vivo in rat model of perinatal asphyxia. The potential engagement of gelatinases in oligodendrocyte maturation was assessed as well. The results pointed to a significant decrease in the number of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), which is compensated for to a certain extent by the increased rate of OPC proliferation. Oligodendrocyte maturation seemed however to be significantly altered. An ultrastructural examination of selected brain regions performed several weeks after the insult showed however that the process of developing central nervous system myelination proceeds efficiently resulting in enwrapping the majority of axons in compact myelin. The increased angiogenesis in response to neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic insult was also noticed. In conclusion, the study shows that hypoxic-ischaemic episodes experienced during the most active period of nervous system development might be efficiently compensated for by the oligodendroglial cell response triggered by the insult. The main obstacle seems to be the inflammatory process modulating the local microenvironment.

NG2 glial cells regulate neuroimmunological responses to maintain neuronal function and survival

NG2-expressing neural progenitor cells (i.e., NG2 glial cells) maintain their proliferative and migratory activities even in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and produce myelinating oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Although NG2 glial cells have been observed in close proximity to neuronal cell bodies in order to receive synaptic inputs, substantive non-proliferative roles of NG2 glial cells in the adult CNS remain unclear. In the present study, we generated NG2-HSVtk transgenic rats and selectively ablated NG2 glial cells in the adult CNS. Ablation of NG2 glial cells produced defects in hippocampal neurons due to excessive neuroinflammation via activation of the interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) pro-inflammatory pathway, resulting in hippocampal atrophy. Furthermore, we revealed that the loss of NG2 glial cell-derived hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) exacerbated these abnormalities. Our findings suggest that NG2 glial cells maintain neuronal function and survival via the control of neuroimmunological function.

Glial Cells and Their Function in the Adult Brain: A Journey through the History of Their Ablation

Glial cells, consisting of microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocyte lineage cells as their major components, constitute a large fraction of the mammalian brain. Originally considered as purely non-functional glue for neurons, decades of research have highlighted the importance as well as further functions of glial cells. Although many aspects of these cells are well characterized nowadays, the functions of the different glial populations in the brain under both physiological and pathological conditions remain, at least to a certain extent, unresolved. To tackle these important questions, a broad range of depletion approaches have been developed in which microglia, astrocytes, or oligodendrocyte lineage cells (i.e., NG2-glia and oligodendrocytes) are specifically ablated from the adult brain network with a subsequent analysis of the consequences. As the different glial populations are very heterogeneous, it is imperative to specifically ablate single cell populations instead of inducing cell death in all glial cells in general. Thanks to modern genetic manipulation methods, the approaches can now directly be targeted to the cell type of interest making the ablation more specific compared to general cell ablation approaches that have been used earlier on. In this review, we will give a detailed summary on different glial ablation studies, focusing on the adult mouse central nervous system and the functional readouts. We will also provide an outlook on how these approaches could be further exploited in the future.

Understanding the NG2 Glial Scar after Spinal Cord Injury

NG2 cells, also known as oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, are located throughout the central nervous system and serve as a pool of progenitors to differentiate into oligodendrocytes. In response to spinal cord injury (SCI), NG2 cells increase their proliferation and differentiation into remyelinating oligodendrocytes. While astrocytes are typically associated with being the major cell type in the glial scar, many NG2 cells also accumulate within the glial scar but their function remains poorly understood. Similar to astrocytes, these cells hypertrophy, upregulate expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, inhibit axon regeneration, contribute to the glial-fibrotic scar border, and some even differentiate into astrocytes. Whether NG2 cells also have a role in other astrocyte functions, such as preventing the spread of infiltrating leukocytes and expression of inflammatory cytokines, is not yet known. Thus, NG2 cells are not only important for remyelination after SCI but are also a major component of the glial scar with functions that overlap with astrocytes in this region. In this review, we describe the signaling pathways important for the proliferation and differentiation of NG2 cells, as well as the role of NG2 cells in scar formation and tissue repair.

The cell biology of CNS myelination

Myelination of axons in the central nervous system results from the remarkable ability of oligodendrocytes to wrap multiple axons with highly specialized membrane. Because myelin membrane grows as it ensheaths axons, cytoskeletal rearrangements that enable ensheathment must be coordinated with myelin production. Because the myelin sheaths of a single oligodendrocyte can differ in thickness and length, mechanisms that coordinate axon ensheathment with myelin growth likely operate within individual oligodendrocyte processes. Recent studies have revealed new information about how assembly and disassembly of actin filaments helps drive the leading edge of nascent myelin membrane around and along axons. Concurrently, other investigations have begun to uncover evidence of communication between axons and oligodendrocytes that can regulate myelin formation.

NG2-glia, More Than Progenitor Cells

NG2-glia are a mysterious and ubiquitous glial population with a highly branched morphology. Initial studies suggested that their unique function is the generation and maintenance of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS), important for proper myelination and therefore for axonal support and fast conduction velocity. Over the last years this simplistic notion has been dramatically changed: the wide and homogeneous distribution of NG2-glia within all areas of the developing CNS that is maintained during the whole lifespan, their potential to also differentiate into other cell types in a spatiotemporal manner, their active capability of maintaining their population and their dynamic behavior in altered conditions have raised the question: are NG2-glia simple progenitor cells or do they play further major roles in the normal function of the CNS? In this chapter, we will discuss some important features of NG2-glia like their homeostatic distribution in the CNS and their potential to differentiate into diverse cell types. Additionally, we will give some further insights into the properties that these cells have, like the ability to form synapses with neurons and their plastic behavior triggered by neuronal activity, suggesting that they may play a role specifically in myelin and more generally in brain plasticity. Finally, we will briefly review their behavior in disease models suggesting that their function is extended to repair the brain after insult.

Genetic and Stress-Induced Loss of NG2 Glia Triggers Emergence of Depressive-like Behaviors through Reduced Secretion of FGF2

NG2-expressing glia (NG2 glia) are a uniformly distributed and mitotically active pool of cells in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to serving as progenitors of myelinating oligodendrocytes, NG2 glia might also fulfill physiological roles in CNS homeostasis, although the mechanistic nature of such roles remains unclear. Here, we report that ablation of NG2 glia in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the adult brain causes deficits in excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission and astrocytic extracellular glutamate uptake and induces depressive-like behaviors in mice. We show in parallel that chronic social stress causes NG2 glia density to decrease in areas critical to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) pathophysiology at the time of symptom emergence in stress-susceptible mice. Finally, we demonstrate that loss of NG2 glial secretion of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) suffices to induce the same behavioral deficits. Our findings outline a pathway and role for NG2 glia in CNS homeostasis and mood disorders.

The heterogeneous nature of NG2-glia

In the central nervous system, NG2-glia are the cells responsible for the generation of mature oligodendrocytes during development and adulthood. Some studies could show that NG2-glia can give origin also to astrocytes and neurons, a property that makes them similar to neural stem cells. Beside their important role as progenitors, NG2-glia are believed also to have more functions due to their unique interaction with neurons through synapses. It is however not clear whether these features are common to all NG2-glia or different subpopulations of NG2-glia devoted to different functions exist. Therefore the aim of this review is to highlight the state of the art on NG2-glia heterogeneity from development to adulthood and in different brain areas, and discuss the impact of it on our understanding of the glial neurobiology. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:NG2-glia(Invited only).