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Updated: Feb 14, 2026
Dissection and Isolation of Murine Glia from Multiple Central Nervous System Regions
Published on: June 4, 2020
Myelin sheaths in the central nervous system can withstand damage and dynamically remodel
Donia Arafa1,2, Julia van de Korput1,2,3, Philipp N Braaker1,2
1Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract:
Myelin damage is a hallmark of several neurological disorders, but how it occurs remains to be fully understood. In this study, we found that early damage in zebrafish and rodent demyelination models is characterized by myelin swelling. We show, through live imaging, that myelin swelling does not always lead to myelin loss and that swellings can sometimes resolve, allowing sheaths to remodel. Increased neuronal activity during early demyelination exacerbates myelin damage, whereas reducing neuronal activity mitigates myelin swelling in both zebrafish and mice. In human multiple sclerosis tissue, myelin swelling is also dynamic and is prominent around active lesions. Our data indicate that myelin swelling is a conserved feature of demyelination and that damage to myelin sheaths can resolve, opening opportunities for targeting human disease.
Insights
Myelin swelling, not always leading to myelin loss, is an early sign of demyelination. Reducing neuronal activity can mitigate this damage, offering new therapeutic targets for neurological disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Myelin damage is a key feature of neurological disorders.
- The precise mechanisms of myelin damage, particularly early events, require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the early characteristics of demyelination.
- To understand the dynamic nature of myelin damage and its potential for resolution.
- To explore the role of neuronal activity in myelin damage.
Main Methods:
- Live imaging in zebrafish and rodent demyelination models.
- Analysis of human multiple sclerosis tissue.
- Manipulation of neuronal activity during demyelination.
Main Results:
- Early demyelination is characterized by myelin swelling.
- Myelin swelling can be dynamic, with some instances resolving and allowing sheath remodeling.
- Increased neuronal activity exacerbates myelin damage, while reduced activity mitigates swelling.
- Myelin swelling is observed in human multiple sclerosis lesions.
Conclusions:
- Myelin swelling is a conserved feature across species during demyelination.
- Myelin sheath damage can be a reversible process.
- Modulating neuronal activity presents a potential therapeutic strategy for demyelinating diseases.
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