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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Generation of Oligodendrocytes and Oligodendrocyte-Conditioned Medium for Co-Culture Experiments
Published on: February 9, 2020
Oligodendroglial cells express and secrete reelin
Justin R Siebert1, Donna J Osterhout
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, 13210, USA.
Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) express reelin, a protein important in the central nervous system (CNS). These cells, which form myelinating cells, also secrete reelin, suggesting they are a source of this molecule in the CNS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) differentiate into oligodendrocytes (OLs), the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS).
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of OPC differentiation is crucial for CNS development and repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular changes during OPC differentiation.
- To identify key genes and proteins involved in oligodendrocyte maturation.
Main Methods:
- Microarray analysis was performed at multiple time points during OPC maturation.
- Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis were used to confirm protein expression.
Main Results:
- Significant mRNA expression of reelin, Vldlr (a reelin receptor), and Dab1 was observed during OPC differentiation.
- Reelin protein expression was confirmed in oligodendroglial (ODG) cells.
- Both progenitor and mature OLs were found to secrete reelin.
Conclusions:
- OPCs and mature OLs express and secrete reelin.
- These cells may represent a novel source of reelin within the CNS.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the functional role of reelin in ODG cells.
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