From fish to man: understanding endogenous remyelination in central nervous system demyelinating diseases.
In the central nervous system (CNS) of man, evolutionary pressure has preserved some capability for remyelination while axonal regeneration is very limited. In contrast, two efficient programmes of regeneration exist in the adult fish CNS, neurite regrowth and remyelination. The rapidity of CNS remyelination is critical since it not only restores fast conduction of nerve impulses but also maintains axon integrity. If myelin repair fails, axons degenerate, leading to increased disability. In the human CNS demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS), remyelination often takes place in the midst of inflammation. Here, we discuss recent studies that address the innate repair capabilities of the axon-glia unit from fish to man. We propose that expansion of this research field will help find ways to maintain or enhance spontaneous remyelination in man.
Dubois-Dalcq
Monique
M
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Porter Neuroscience Research Center, Bethesda, MD 20892-3706, USA. mdalcq@pasteur.fr
Williams
Anna
A
Stadelmann
Christine
C
Stankoff
Bruno
B
Zalc
Bernard
B
Lubetzki
Catherine
C
D000818:Animals; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000502:physiology
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents