Myelination in vitro of rodent dorsal root ganglia by glial progenitor cells.
Oligodendrocytes synthesize myelin in the mammalian central nervous system; they develop from glial progenitors which, at least in vitro, are bipotential and also differentiate into astrocytes. Maturation of these O-2A progenitors is known to be influenced by growth factors and by extracellular matrix molecules. We investigated the effect of neurons on glial development by co-culturing highly purified rodent embryonic dorsal root ganglia with neonatal O-2A progenitors. Neurons produce signals, including platelet-derived growth factor BB and basic fibroblast growth factor, which stimulate progenitor cells to synthesize DNA; axonal contact is associated with down-regulation in the expression of complex ganglioside surface molecules on O-2A progenitors; with maturation, many of these cells develop into oligodendrocytes allowing the normal process of myelination to take place, but neurons also promote the differentiation of type 2 astrocytes. This orchestration of proliferation and differentiation in O-2A progenitor cells favours the development of glial-neuronal interactions needed for saltatory conduction of the nerve impulse.
Zajicek
J
J
University of Cambridge Neurology Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, UK.
Compston
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D000077214:Becaplermin; D002455:Cell Division; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000378:metabolism; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D051381:Rats; D011999:Recruitment, Neurophysiological / Q000187:drug effects; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
D005732:Gangliosides; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D000077214:Becaplermin; D004247:DNA