An oligovascular niche: cerebral endothelial cells promote the survival and proliferation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells.
We show that cerebral endothelial cells secrete trophic factors that support the survival and proliferation of rat oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). This OPC-supportive phenomenon was mediated by Akt and Src signaling pathways. Noncytotoxic levels of oxidative stress downregulate trophic factor production and disrupt the ability of cerebral endothelial cells to support OPCs. These data suggest that a novel oligovascular niche may be important for sustaining oligodendrocyte renewal and homeostasis in mammalian brain.
Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Departments of Radiology and Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA. karai@partners.org
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D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*