Differentiating oligodendrocytes inhibit neuronal growth cone motility in different ways

Oligodendrocyte-specific proteins are thought to limit regeneration by inhibiting motility of the neuronal growth cone. These inhibitory proteins are among an array of molecules, each expressed in a stage-specific fashion as an oligodendrocyte differentiates. Here we show that neuronal growth cone response to contact with differentiating oligodendrocytes does not strictly correlate with the expression of inhibitory proteins. This suggests that the neuronal growth cone response depends on the context in which inhibitory molecules are encountered. In addition, we provide evidence that there are at least two cellular pathways, within the same growth cones, that lead to growth cone collapse.