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Sublethal oligodendrocyte injury: A reversible condition in multiple sclerosis?
Qiao-Ling Cui1, Damla Khan1, Malena Rone1
1Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Annals of Neurology
|May 5, 2017
Summary
Oligodendrocyte process degeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) is reversible early on. Protecting these cells may restore myelin in early MS lesions, but further study is needed for later stages.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Oligodendrocyte distal process degeneration is an early event in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion development.
- Understanding the "dying-back" oligodendrocyte lesion is crucial for MS research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the in situ development of the "dying-back" oligodendrocyte lesion.
- To model the development and reversibility of oligodendrocyte responses in vitro.
Main Methods:
- In situ analysis of acute MS lesions.
- In vitro studies using adult human oligodendrocytes under metabolic stress.
Main Results:
- Observed myelin changes with intact oligodendrocytes, including inner cytoplasmic tongue degeneration and intramyelinic blebs.
- Oligodendrocyte process retraction due to metabolic stress is reversible until a critical point.
- Cell death was not caspase-3 dependent; gene expression showed reduced pathways for outgrowth, myelination, and metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest potential to protect and restore myelin in early MS lesions by targeting existing oligodendrocytes.
- Further research is necessary to understand adult human oligodendrocyte cell death mechanisms.
