The Healthy and Diseased Microenvironments Regulate Oligodendrocyte Properties: Implications for Regenerative Medicine

Prisca S. Leferink, Vivi M. Heine*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

White matter disorders are characterized by deficient myelin or myelin loss, lead to a range of neurologic dysfunctions, and can result in early death. Oligodendrocytes, which are responsible for white matter formation, are the first targets for treatment. However, many studies indicate that failure of white matter repair goes beyond the intrinsic incapacity of oligodendrocytes to (re)generate myelin and that failed interactions with neighboring cells or factors in the diseased microenvironment can underlie white matter defects. Moreover, most of the white matter disorders show specific white matter pathology caused by different disease mechanisms. Herein, we review the factors within the cellular and the extracellular microenvironment regulating oligodendrocyte properties and discuss stem cell tools to identify microenvironmental factors of importance to the development of improved regenerative medicine for patients with white matter disorders.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)39-52
Number of pages14
JournalAmerican Journal of Pathology
Volume188
Issue number1
Early online date10 Oct 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2018

Funding

Supported by ZonMw (The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development) VIDI (part of The Innovational Research Incentives Scheme) research grant 91712343 (V.M.H.), ZonMw TAS IDB (part of the Translational Adult Stem Cell Research Program) project 116005006 (V.M.H.), E-Rare Joint Call project 9003037601 (V.M.H.), and European Leukodystrophy Association Research grant 2014-012L1 (V.M.H.).

FundersFunder number
ZonMw91712343
Association Européenne contre les Leucodystrophies2014-012L1

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