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Published on: March 26, 2015
Disorganization of myelinogenesis in tissue culture by anti-CNS antiserum
Abstract:
The presence of decomplemented anti-CNS antiserum profoundly affects myelinogenesis in cultured mouse embryo spinal cord. Light and electron microscope study has shown that oligodendroglia differentiate and produce an abundance of cell processes which surround the oligodendrocytes in a chaotic, disorganized array. Where the cell processes chance to meet, they form a kind of aberrant swollen myelin. Rarely, the oligodendroglial processes ensheath axons. For the most part, the available axons remain unmyelinated. On removal of the decomplemented antiserum, oligodendroglia differentiate and form normal myelin around the available axons. Myelination of peripheral nervous system (dorsal root ganglion) axons in the same preparations is unaffected by the presence of the antiserum. Thus, under these circumstances, the message from the neuron to the oligodendrocyte to make myelin is apparently intact, yet there is interference with the ability of the oligodendroglial cell process to find, attach to and encircle CNS axons with a normal myelin sheath.
Insights
Decomplemented anti-CNS antiserum disrupts central nervous system (CNS) myelin formation in mouse spinal cord cultures. Removing the antiserum allows normal myelin sheath development, indicating a specific interference with oligodendrocyte processes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Myelinogenesis is crucial for central nervous system (CNS) function.
- Oligodendrocytes are the myelin-producing cells in the CNS.
- The precise mechanisms regulating myelin sheath formation are complex and not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of decomplemented anti-CNS antiserum on myelinogenesis in cultured mouse embryo spinal cord.
- To determine if the antiserum interferes with oligodendrocyte differentiation or axon ensheathment.
- To compare the effects on CNS versus peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelination.
Main Methods:
- Light and electron microscopy were used to examine spinal cord cultures.
- Cultures were treated with decomplemented anti-CNS antiserum.
- The effects on oligodendroglia and axon myelination were observed.
- Peripheral nervous system (dorsal root ganglion) myelination was assessed in parallel.
Main Results:
- Anti-CNS antiserum caused disorganized oligodendrocyte process outgrowth and aberrant myelin formation.
- Most CNS axons remained unmyelinated in the presence of the antiserum.
- Oligodendroglia differentiated but failed to properly ensheath axons.
- Peripheral nervous system myelination was unaffected.
Conclusions:
- Decomplemented anti-CNS antiserum specifically disrupts CNS myelinogenesis.
- The neuron-to-oligodendrocyte signaling for myelin production appears intact.
- The antiserum interferes with the ability of oligodendrocyte processes to correctly associate with CNS axons.
