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Updated: Jun 22, 2025

Generation of Human Neurons and Oligodendrocytes from Pluripotent Stem Cells for Modeling Neuron-Oligodendrocyte Interactions

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Published on: November 9, 2020

Navigating oligodendrocyte precursor cell aging in brain health

Freddy Leenders¹, Lisa Koole¹, Helena Slaets²

¹Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Division Translational Neuroscience, Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.

Mechanisms of Ageing and Development

|July 1, 2024

Summary

Aging impairs oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) function, hindering central nervous system (CNS) repair and remyelination. This review explores OPC aging, its role in neurodegeneration, and potential rejuvenation strategies.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Gerontology

Background:

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are vital for central nervous system (CNS) myelination.
OPC proliferation and differentiation capacity decline with age, impairing CNS repair.
This age-related decline exacerbates neurodegenerative conditions like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

Purpose of the Study:

To review cellular and molecular changes in aged OPCs.
To examine the impact of OPC aging on differentiation and remyelination.
To discuss therapeutic strategies for rejuvenating aged OPCs.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on OPC aging.
Analysis of OPC function in aging and neurodegenerative disease models.
Exploration of pharmacological interventions targeting senescence and differentiation pathways.

Main Results:

Aging significantly reduces OPC differentiation and remyelination potential.
Aged OPCs contribute to disease progression in multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease by impeding repair.
Pharmacological targeting of senescence pathways shows promise for OPC rejuvenation.

Conclusions:

Understanding OPC aging is crucial for developing therapies for age-related CNS disorders.
Rejuvenating aged OPCs could enhance remyelination and improve outcomes in neurodegenerative diseases.
Targeting OPC senescence offers a potential therapeutic avenue for CNS repair.

Keywords:

Aging Alzheimer’s disease Multiple sclerosis Myelination Oligodendrocyte precursor cell

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