The control of reactive oxygen species production by SHP-1 in oligodendrocytes

Ross C Gruber1,2, Daria LaRocca3, Scott B Minchenberg3

  • 1Department of Neurology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.

Glia
|April 29, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) deficiency impairs myelin basic protein (MBP) expression in mice by increasing oxidative stress in oligodendrocytes. Restoring SHP-1 function or using antioxidants reverses these effects, suggesting a role in demyelinating diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Reduced myelination and myelin basic protein (MBP) expression are observed in the central nervous system of Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) deficient motheaten (me/me) mice.
  • SHP-1 deficiency correlates with reduced MBP mRNA levels in vivo and in vitro, indicating SHP-1 is a critical regulator of oligodendrocyte gene expression and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of SHP-1 in regulating oligodendrocyte function and myelination.
  • To explore the impact of SHP-1 deficiency on oxidative stress pathways in oligodendrocytes.
  • To determine the potential involvement of SHP-1 in human demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of myelination and MBP expression in SHP-1 deficient (motheaten) mice and wild-type littermates.
  • Assessment of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress markers in oligodendrocytes from motheaten mice and SHP-1-depleted N20.1 cells.
  • Evaluation of antioxidant treatment effects on SHP-1-deficient oligodendrocytes, including gene expression analysis (MBP, HO-1, Nrf2).

Main Results:

  • SHP-1 deficient oligodendrocytes exhibit increased ROS production and oxidative stress markers.
  • Increased ROS correlates with ROS-induced signaling pathways affecting myelin gene expression.
  • Antioxidant treatment reverses pathological changes in SHP-1 deficient oligodendrocytes, restoring MBP expression and decreasing HO-1 expression.

Conclusions:

  • SHP-1 plays a critical role in regulating oligodendrocyte oxidative stress and myelin gene expression.
  • SHP-1 deficiency in oligodendrocytes leads to impaired myelination and increased susceptibility to demyelinating conditions.
  • SHP-1 deficiency is observed in human white matter oligodendrocytes of a subset of multiple sclerosis patients, suggesting a role in the disease.

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