title: Hypomyelination following deletion of Tsc2 in oligodendrocyte precursors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While abnormalities in myelin in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) have been known for some time, recent imaging-based data suggest myelin abnormalities may be independent of the pathognomonic cortical lesions ("tubers"). Multiple mouse models of TSC exhibit myelination deficits, though the cell types responsible and the mechanisms underlying the myelin abnormalities remain unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  To determine the role of alterations in mTOR signaling in myelination, we generated a conditional knockout (CKO) mouse model using Cre-recombinase and the Olig2 promoter to inactivate the Tsc2 gene in oligodendrocyte precursor cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Characterization of myelin and myelin constituent proteins demonstrated a marked hypomyelination phenotype. Diffusion-based magnetic resonance imaging studies were likewise consistent with hypomyelination. Hypomyelination was due in part to decreased myelinated axon density and myelin thickness as well as decreased oligodendrocyte numbers. Coincident with hypomyelination, an extensive gliosis was seen in both the cortex and white matter tracks, suggesting alterations in cell fate due to changes in mTOR activity in oligodendrocyte precursors. Despite a high-frequency appendicular tremor and altered gait in CKO mice, no significant changes in activity, vocalizations, or anxiety-like phenotypes were seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings support a known role of mTOR signaling in regulation of myelination and demonstrate that increased mTORC1 activity early in development within oligodendrocytes results in hypomyelination and not hypermyelination. Our data further support a dissociation between decreased Akt activity and increased mTORC1 activity toward hypomyelination. Thus, therapies promoting activation of Akt-dependent pathways while reducing mTORC1 activity may prove beneficial in treatment of human disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee.
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee.
authors.forename: Nathaniel D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Kelm
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee.
authors.forename: Kathryn L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Does
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee.
authors.forename: Cary
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee.
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McBrier
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee.
authors.forename: Brittany
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Grier
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee.
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ess