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Perez-Gianmarco L, Kurt B, Kukley M. Technical approaches and challenges to study AMPA receptors in oligodendrocyte lineage cells: Past, present, and future. Glia 2023; 71:819-847. [PMID: 36453615 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Receptors for α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPARs) are ligand-gated ionotropic receptors for glutamate that is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. AMPARs are located at postsynaptic sites of neuronal synapses where they mediate fast synaptic signaling and synaptic plasticity. Remarkably, AMPARs are also expressed by glial cells. Their expression by the oligodendrocyte (OL) lineage cells is of special interest because AMPARs mediate fast synaptic communication between neurons and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), modulate proliferation and differentiation of OPCs, and may also be involved in regulation of myelination. On the other hand, during pathological conditions, AMPARs may mediate damage of the OL lineage cells. In the present review, we focus on the technical approaches that have been used to study AMPARs in the OL lineage cells, and discuss future perspectives of AMPAR research in these glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucila Perez-Gianmarco
- Laboratory of Neuronal and Glial Physiology, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain.,Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Begüm Kurt
- Laboratory of Neuronal and Glial Physiology, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain.,Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Maria Kukley
- Laboratory of Neuronal and Glial Physiology, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain.,Ikerbasque - Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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2
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Recent Insights into the Functional Role of AMPA Receptors in the Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044138. [PMID: 36835546 PMCID: PMC9967469 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This review discusses the experimental findings of several recent studies which investigated the functional role of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) in oligodendrocyte lineage cells in vivo, in mice and in zebrafish. These studies provided valuable information showing that oligodendroglial AMPARs may be involved in the modulation of proliferation, differentiation, and migration of oligodendroglial progenitors, as well as survival of myelinating oligodendrocytes during physiological conditions in vivo. They also suggested that targeting the subunit composition of AMPARs may be an important strategy for treating diseases. However, at the same time, the experimental findings taken together still do not provide a clear picture on the topic. Hence, new ideas and new experimental designs are required for understanding the functional role of AMPARs in the oligodendrocyte lineage cells in vivo. It is also necessary to consider more closely the temporal and spatial aspects of AMPAR-mediated signalling in the oligodendrocyte lineage cells. These two important aspects are routinely discussed by neuronal physiologists studying glutamatergic synaptic transmission, but are rarely debated and thought about by researchers studying glial cells.
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3
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Heflin JK, Sun W. Novel Toolboxes for the Investigation of Activity-Dependent Myelination in the Central Nervous System. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:769809. [PMID: 34795563 PMCID: PMC8592894 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.769809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelination is essential for signal processing within neural networks. Emerging data suggest that neuronal activity positively instructs myelin development and myelin adaptation during adulthood. However, the underlying mechanisms controlling activity-dependent myelination have not been fully elucidated. Myelination is a multi-step process that involves the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells followed by the initial contact and ensheathment of axons by mature oligodendrocytes. Conventional end-point studies rarely capture the dynamic interaction between neurons and oligodendrocyte lineage cells spanning such a long temporal window. Given that such interactions and downstream signaling cascades are likely to occur within fine cellular processes of oligodendrocytes and their precursor cells, overcoming spatial resolution limitations represents another technical hurdle in the field. In this mini-review, we discuss how advanced genetic, cutting-edge imaging, and electrophysiological approaches enable us to investigate neuron-oligodendrocyte lineage cell interaction and myelination with both temporal and spatial precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Kent Heflin
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Wenjing Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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4
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Kula B, Chen T, Kukley M. Glutamatergic signaling between neurons and oligodendrocyte lineage cells: Is it synaptic or non‐synaptic? Glia 2019; 67:2071-2091. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.23617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Kula
- Group of Neuron Glia InteractionUniversity of Tübingen Tübingen Germany
- Graduate Training Centre for NeuroscienceUniversity of Tübingen Tübingen Germany
| | - Ting‐Jiun Chen
- Center for Neuroscience ResearchChildren's Research Institute, Children's National Medical Center Washington District of Columbia
| | - Maria Kukley
- Group of Neuron Glia InteractionUniversity of Tübingen Tübingen Germany
- Research Institute for OphthalmologyUniversity Hospital Tübingen Tübingen Germany
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5
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Clasadonte J, Prevot V. The special relationship: glia-neuron interactions in the neuroendocrine hypothalamus. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2018; 14:25-44. [PMID: 29076504 DOI: 10.1038/nrendo.2017.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Natural fluctuations in physiological conditions require adaptive responses involving rapid and reversible structural and functional changes in the hypothalamic neuroendocrine circuits that control homeostasis. Here, we discuss the data that implicate hypothalamic glia in the control of hypothalamic neuroendocrine circuits, specifically neuron-glia interactions in the regulation of neurosecretion as well as neuronal excitability. Mechanistically, the morphological plasticity displayed by distal processes of astrocytes, pituicytes and tanycytes modifies the geometry and diffusion properties of the extracellular space. These changes alter the relationship between glial cells of the hypothalamus and adjacent neuronal elements, especially at specialized intersections such as synapses and neurohaemal junctions. The structural alterations in turn lead to functional plasticity that alters the release and spread of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and gliotransmitters, as well as the activity of discrete glial signalling pathways that mediate feedback by peripheral signals to the hypothalamus. An understanding of the contributions of these and other non-neuronal cell types to hypothalamic neuroendocrine function is thus critical both to understand physiological processes such as puberty, the maintenance of bodily homeostasis and ageing and to develop novel therapeutic strategies for dysfunctions of these processes, such as infertility and metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Clasadonte
- Inserm, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Centre, U1172, Bâtiment Biserte, 1 Place de Verdun, 59045, Lille, Cedex, France
- University of Lille, FHU 1000 days for Health, School of Medicine, Lille 59000, France
| | - Vincent Prevot
- Inserm, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Centre, U1172, Bâtiment Biserte, 1 Place de Verdun, 59045, Lille, Cedex, France
- University of Lille, FHU 1000 days for Health, School of Medicine, Lille 59000, France
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6
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Jäkel S, Dimou L. Glial Cells and Their Function in the Adult Brain: A Journey through the History of Their Ablation. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:24. [PMID: 28243193 PMCID: PMC5303749 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 268] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jäkel
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians UniversityMunich, Germany; MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of EdinburghEdinburgh, UK
| | - Leda Dimou
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians UniversityMunich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems NeurologyMunich, Germany; Molecular and Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University of UlmUlm, Germany
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7
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Sun W, Matthews EA, Nicolas V, Schoch S, Dietrich D. NG2 glial cells integrate synaptic input in global and dendritic calcium signals. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27644104 PMCID: PMC5052029 DOI: 10.7554/elife.16262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic signaling to NG2-expressing oligodendrocyte precursor cells (NG2 cells) could be key to rendering myelination of axons dependent on neuronal activity, but it has remained unclear whether NG2 glial cells integrate and respond to synaptic input. Here we show that NG2 cells perform linear integration of glutamatergic synaptic inputs and respond with increasing dendritic calcium elevations. Synaptic activity induces rapid Ca2+ signals mediated by low-voltage activated Ca2+ channels under strict inhibitory control of voltage-gated A-type K+ channels. Ca2+ signals can be global and originate throughout the cell. However, voltage-gated channels are also found in thin dendrites which act as compartmentalized processing units and generate local calcium transients. Taken together, the activity-dependent control of Ca2+ signals by A-type channels and the global versus local signaling domains make intracellular Ca2+ in NG2 cells a prime signaling molecule to transform neurotransmitter release into activity-dependent myelination. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.16262.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Clinic Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Vicky Nicolas
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Clinic Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Susanne Schoch
- Department of Neuropathology, University Clinic Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dirk Dietrich
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Clinic Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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8
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Sahel A, Ortiz FC, Kerninon C, Maldonado PP, Angulo MC, Nait-Oumesmar B. Alteration of synaptic connectivity of oligodendrocyte precursor cells following demyelination. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:77. [PMID: 25852473 PMCID: PMC4362325 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are a major source of remyelinating oligodendrocytes in demyelinating diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). While OPCs are innervated by unmyelinated axons in the normal brain, the fate of such synaptic contacts after demyelination is still unclear. By combining electrophysiology and immunostainings in different transgenic mice expressing fluorescent reporters, we studied the synaptic innervation of OPCs in the model of lysolecithin (LPC)-induced demyelination of corpus callosum. Synaptic innervation of reactivated OPCs in the lesion was revealed by the presence of AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic currents, VGluT1+ axon-OPC contacts in 3D confocal reconstructions and synaptic junctions observed by electron microscopy. Moreover, 3D confocal reconstructions of VGluT1 and NG2 immunolabeling showed the existence of glutamatergic axon-OPC contacts in post-mortem MS lesions. Interestingly, patch-clamp recordings in LPC-induced lesions demonstrated a drastic decrease in spontaneous synaptic activity of OPCs early after demyelination that was not caused by an impaired conduction of compound action potentials. A reduction in synaptic connectivity was confirmed by the lack of VGluT1+ axon-OPC contacts in virtually all rapidly proliferating OPCs stained with EdU (50-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine). At the end of the massive proliferation phase in lesions, the proportion of innervated OPCs rapidly recovers, although the frequency of spontaneous synaptic currents did not reach control levels. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that newly-generated OPCs do not receive synaptic inputs during their active proliferation after demyelination, but gain synapses during the remyelination process. Hence, glutamatergic synaptic inputs may contribute to inhibit OPC proliferation and might have a physiopathological relevance in demyelinating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélia Sahel
- INSERM U1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière Paris, France ; Université Paris 6, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMR-S1127 Paris, France ; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 7225 Paris, France
| | - Fernando C Ortiz
- INSERM U1128 Paris, France ; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité Paris, France
| | - Christophe Kerninon
- INSERM U1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière Paris, France ; Université Paris 6, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMR-S1127 Paris, France ; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 7225 Paris, France
| | - Paloma P Maldonado
- INSERM U1128 Paris, France ; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité Paris, France
| | - María Cecilia Angulo
- INSERM U1128 Paris, France ; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité Paris, France
| | - Brahim Nait-Oumesmar
- INSERM U1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière Paris, France ; Université Paris 6, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMR-S1127 Paris, France ; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 7225 Paris, France
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9
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Werneburg S, Mühlenhoff M, Stangel M, Hildebrandt H. Polysialic acid on SynCAM 1 in NG2 cells and on neuropilin-2 in microglia is confined to intracellular pools that are rapidly depleted upon stimulation. Glia 2015; 63:1240-55. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.22815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Werneburg
- Hannover Medical School; Institute for Cellular Chemistry; Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1 Hannover Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN); Hannover Germany
| | - Martina Mühlenhoff
- Hannover Medical School; Institute for Cellular Chemistry; Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1 Hannover Germany
| | - Martin Stangel
- Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN); Hannover Germany
- Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neurochemistry; Department of Neurology; Hannover Medical School; Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1 Hannover Germany
| | - Herbert Hildebrandt
- Hannover Medical School; Institute for Cellular Chemistry; Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1 Hannover Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN); Hannover Germany
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10
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Jebelli J, Su W, Hopkins S, Pocock J, Garden GA. Glia: guardians, gluttons, or guides for the maintenance of neuronal connectivity? Ann N Y Acad Sci 2015; 1351:1-10. [PMID: 25752338 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Revised: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
An emerging aspect of neuronal-glial interactions is the connection glial cells have to synapses. Mounting research now suggests a far more intimate relationship than previously recognized. Moreover, the current evidence implicating synapse loss in neurodegenerative disease etiology is overwhelming, but the role of glia in the process of synaptic degeneration has only recently been considered in earnest. Each main class of glial cell, including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, performs crucial and multifaceted roles in the maintenance of synaptic function and excitability. As such, aging and/or neuronal stress from disease-related misfolded proteins may involve disruption of multiple non-cell-autonomous synaptic support systems that are mediated by neighboring glia. In addition, glial cell activation induced by injury, ischemia, or neurodegeneration is thought to greatly alter the behavior of glial cells toward neuronal synapses, suggesting that neuroinflammation potentially contributes to synapse loss primarily mediated by altered glial functions. This review discusses recent evidence highlighting novel roles for glial cells at neuronal synapses and in the maintenance of neuronal connectivity, focusing primarily on their implications for neurodegenerative disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Jebelli
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Wei Su
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Stephanie Hopkins
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jennifer Pocock
- Department of Neuroinflammation, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gwenn A Garden
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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11
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Pekny M, Pekna M. Astrocyte reactivity and reactive astrogliosis: costs and benefits. Physiol Rev 2014; 94:1077-98. [PMID: 25287860 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00041.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 604] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are the most abundant cells in the central nervous system (CNS) that provide nutrients, recycle neurotransmitters, as well as fulfill a wide range of other homeostasis maintaining functions. During the past two decades, astrocytes emerged also as increasingly important regulators of neuronal functions including the generation of new nerve cells and structural as well as functional synapse remodeling. Reactive gliosis or reactive astrogliosis is a term coined for the morphological and functional changes seen in astroglial cells/astrocytes responding to CNS injury and other neurological diseases. Whereas this defensive reaction of astrocytes is conceivably aimed at handling the acute stress, limiting tissue damage, and restoring homeostasis, it may also inhibit adaptive neural plasticity mechanisms underlying recovery of function. Understanding the multifaceted roles of astrocytes in the healthy and diseased CNS will undoubtedly contribute to the development of treatment strategies that will, in a context-dependent manner and at appropriate time points, modulate reactive astrogliosis to promote brain repair and reduce the neurological impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milos Pekny
- Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; and Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcela Pekna
- Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; and Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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12
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Chew LJ, DeBoy CA, Senatorov VV. Finding degrees of separation: experimental approaches for astroglial and oligodendroglial cell isolation and genetic targeting. J Neurosci Methods 2014; 236:125-47. [PMID: 25169049 PMCID: PMC4171043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2014.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Revised: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The study of CNS glial cell function requires experimental methods to detect, purify, and manipulate each cell population with fidelity and specificity. With the identification and cloning of cell- and stage-specific markers, glial cell analysis techniques have grown beyond physical methods of tissue dissociation and cell culture, and become highly specific with immunoselection of cell cultures in vitro and genetic targeting in vivo. The unique plasticity of glial cells offers the potential for cell replacement therapies in neurological disease that utilize neural cells derived from transplanted neural stem and progenitor cells. In this mini-review, we outline general physical and genetic approaches for macroglial cell generation. We summarize cell culture methods to obtain astrocytes and oligodendrocytes and their precursors, from developing and adult tissue, as well as approaches to obtain human neural progenitor cells through the establishment of stem cells. We discuss popular targeting rodent strains designed for cell-specific detection, selection and manipulation of neuroglial cell progenitors and their committed progeny. Based on shared markers between astrocytes and stem cells, we discuss genetically modified mouse strains with overlapping expression, and highlight SOX-expressing strains available for targeting of stem and progenitor cell populations. We also include recently established mouse strains for detection, and tag-assisted RNA and miRNA analysis. This discussion aims to provide a brief overview of the rapidly expanding collection of experimental approaches and genetic resources for the isolation and targeting of macroglial cells, their sources, progeny and gene products to facilitate our understanding of their properties and potential application in pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Jin Chew
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States.
| | - Cynthia A DeBoy
- Biology Department, Trinity Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Vladimir V Senatorov
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
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13
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Tomassy GS, Fossati V. How big is the myelinating orchestra? Cellular diversity within the oligodendrocyte lineage: facts and hypotheses. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:201. [PMID: 25120430 PMCID: PMC4112809 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since monumental studies from scientists like His, Ramón y Cajal, Lorente de Nó and many others have put down roots for modern neuroscience, the scientific community has spent a considerable amount of time, and money, investigating any possible aspect of the evolution, development and function of neurons. Today, the complexity and diversity of myriads of neuronal populations, and their progenitors, is still focus of extensive studies in hundreds of laboratories around the world. However, our prevalent neuron-centric perspective has dampened the efforts in understanding glial cells, even though their active participation in the brain physiology and pathophysiology has been increasingly recognized over the years. Among all glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS), oligodendrocytes (OLs) are a particularly specialized type of cells that provide fundamental support to neuronal activity by producing the myelin sheath. Despite their functional relevance, the developmental mechanisms regulating the generation of OLs are still poorly understood. In particular, it is still not known whether these cells share the same degree of heterogeneity of their neuronal companions and whether multiple subtypes exist within the lineage. Here, we will review and discuss current knowledge about OL development and function in the brain and spinal cord. We will try to address some specific questions: do multiple OL subtypes exist in the CNS? What is the evidence for their existence and those against them? What are the functional features that define an oligodendrocyte? We will end our journey by reviewing recent advances in human pluripotent stem cell differentiation towards OLs. This exciting field is still at its earliest days, but it is quickly evolving with improved protocols to generate functional OLs from different spatial origins. As stem cells constitute now an unprecedented source of human OLs, we believe that they will become an increasingly valuable tool for deciphering the complexity of human OL identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Srubek Tomassy
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University Cambridge, MA, USA
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14
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O’Rourke M, Gasperini R, Young KM. Adult myelination: wrapping up neuronal plasticity. Neural Regen Res 2014; 9:1261-4. [PMID: 25221576 PMCID: PMC4160850 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.137571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we outline the major neural plasticity mechanisms that have been identified in the adult central nervous system (CNS), and offer a perspective on how they regulate CNS function. In particular we examine how myelin plasticity can operate alongside neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity to influence information processing and transfer in the mature CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan O’Rourke
- Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia
| | - Robert Gasperini
- Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia
- The School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia
| | - Kaylene M. Young
- Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia
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15
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Maldonado PP, Angulo MC. Multiple Modes of Communication between Neurons and Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells. Neuroscientist 2014; 21:266-76. [PMID: 24722526 DOI: 10.1177/1073858414530784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The surprising discovery of bona fide synapses between neurons and oligodendrocytes precursor cells (OPCs) 15 years ago placed these progenitors as real partners of neurons in the CNS. The role of these synapses has not been established yet, but a main hypothesis is that neuron-OPC synaptic activity is a signaling pathway controlling OPC proliferation/differentiation, influencing the myelination process. However, new evidences describing non-synaptic mechanisms of communication between neurons and OPCs have revealed that neuron-OPC interactions are more complex than expected. The activation of extrasynaptic receptors by ambient neurotransmitter or local spillover and the ability of OPCs to sense neuronal activity through a potassium channel suggest that distinct modes of communication mediate different functions of OPCs in the CNS. This review discusses different mechanisms used by OPCs to interact with neurons and their potential roles during postnatal development and in brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma P Maldonado
- INSERM U1128, Paris, France Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - María Cecilia Angulo
- INSERM U1128, Paris, France Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
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