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Oligodendrocytes as providers of growth factors
Yangzhou Du1, Cheryl F Dreyfus
1Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, UMDNJ/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.
Abstract:
Glial cells recently are being appreciated as supporters of brain neurons. This review addresses their role as growth factor providers. While the function of astrocytes in this capacity is known, new data indicate that oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the brain, exhibit similar abilities. Oligodendrocytes provide trophic signals to nearby neurons and synthesize defined growth factors. Expression of growth factors is influenced by neural signals. The review summarizes these roles and their implications in brain function.
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