Oligodendrocytes and Schwann Cells Flashcards
Describe the steps in the development of the oligodendrocyte from early precursor to myelinating cell Discuss how the number of oligodendrocytes becomes matched to the number of axons requiring myelination Contrast oligodendrocyte development and function with Schwann cell development and function
Why is the brain’s white matter white?
The white matter is mainly made up of lipids in the form of myelin. Myelin is very thin without much mass, hence the white colour
Which progenitor cells do oligodendrocytes develop from?
O-2A progenitor cells
Name an oligodendroglial and astroglial biomarker
Oligodendroglial: Galactocerebroside
Astroglial: Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)
A 1988 experiment showed that type1 astrocytes could induce O-2A cell proliferation in culture. Which key factor were the astrocytes releasing?
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)
Which PDGF receptor do O-2A cells express?
PDGFRalpha - as they bind both PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB, and the PDGFRbeta does not have affinity to the PDGF-AA ligand
In which part of the spinal cord do the earliest oligodendrocyte precursors originate?
A restricted section of the ventricular zone
In which part of the embryonic brain do the earliest oligodendrocyte precursors originate?
A localised germinal zone in the ventral diencephalon
Name a marker for both immature and mature oligodendrocytes, and a marker for mature oligodendrocytes only
Both: O4
Mature only: GSTn
The transcription factors Olig1 and Olig2 are both involved in oligodendrocyte development. Which is essential?
Olig2
Which other cell lineage is generated under the influence of Olig2, and which other transcription factors are involved?
Motor neurons - with the addition of Ngn1 and Ngn2
The embryonic spinal cord has two apposing morphogen gradients. Name the two substances produced and their gradients
Sonic hedgehog (SHH) from the floor plate, ventral to dorsal gradient Bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) from the roof plate, dorsal to ventral gradient
Which of SHH and BMP4 promotes oligodendrocyte development, and which inhibits it?
SHH promotes (and is essential for oligodendrocyte development) BMP4 inhibits
The migration of oligodendrocyte precursor cells along the path of the optic nerve is controlled by two chemorepellants. Where are they released from, and what are they?
Netrin-1 and sema3a, released by the optic chiasm
How does electrical stimulation of CNS neurons affect their myelination?
It increases it
Describe the relationship between activated neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes
Activated neurons release ATP, which stimulates astrocytes to produce leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF). LIF promotes myelination by mature oligodendrocytes
Why do oligodendrocytes on transected axons die?
Oligodendrocytes die unless supplied with neuregulin. Neuregulin is produced by neuronal axons and attaches to receptors on oligodendrocytes. When axons are transected, they die and stop producing neuregulin
Which area of the spinal cord do most oligodendrocytes develop from?
Ventral spinal cord
Name three cell adhesion molecules released by axons to stimulate oligodendrocytes and cause myelination
Neuregulin, NCAM, and L1
Name three inhibitory molecules downregulated by axons to stimulate myelination by oligodendrocytes
Notch, PSA-NCAM, and lingo-1