Investigation of astrocyte - oligodendrocyte interactions in human cultures

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by CNS demyelination and oligodendrocyte depletion, axonal loss, and reactive astrogliosis. Myelin loss causes conduction block, while remyelination is associated with recovery of conduction and return of function. Reactive astrocytes are a prominent feature of MS plaques, and have been implicated as producing factors regulating oligodendrocyte progenitor differentiation and myelin formation. Understanding their impact on these events may lead to new approaches for oligodendrocyte protection and/or remyelination in MS. Here, we outline protocols for the establishment and analysis of primary monocultures and cocultures of human astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. These approaches are designed to facilitate analysis of mechanisms underlying astrocytic regulation of progenitor survival and myelin repair.