The effect of the number of oligodendrocytes transplanted into X-irradiated, glial-free lesions on the extent of oligodendrocyte remyelination.
Central nervous system mixed glia cell cultures were prepared which contained varying proportions of galactocerebroside-positive oligodendrocytes and high proportions of GFAP-positive flat astrocytes. When these cell preparations were transplanted into areas of persistent demyelination produced in the dorsal columns of adult rat spinal cord, it was found that the number of oligodendrocyte internodes formed and the extent of CNS reconstruction achieved was directly related to the number of oligodendrocytes introduced to the lesioned area. With transplants containing low numbers of oligodendrocytes, astrocytes appeared unable to establish relationships within the lesioned areas and only Schwann cells, which comprise less than 5% of the total cell preparation, effected significant remyelination. These results indicate that a minimum number of oligodendrocytes are required to support significant reconstruction of CNS territories in the face of competition-for-axons from contaminating Schwann cells.
Crang
A J
AJ
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, U.K.
Blakemore
W F
WF
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002452:Cell Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000473:pathology*; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000637:transplantation*; D051381:Rats; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein