In the central nervous system (CNS), myelin is formed by oligodendrocytes and facilitates the rapid propagation of nerve conduction. Myelination is developmentally and plastically regulated by various factors, including neural activity-dependent releasing molecules, membrane proteins signaling between oligodendrocytes and axons, and oligodendroglial myelin proteins. Myelin also metabolically supports axonal homeostasis and survival. Therefore, abnormalities in myelination critically alter our CNS functions during periods of growth, maturation, and aging. In severe cases, these defects cause diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and leukodystrophy. In addition, oligodendrocytes are not all alike, but are subdivided into several types, which orchestrate to regulate our brain functions. In recent years, remarkable findings in these oligodendrocyte/myelin functions and mechanisms have been reported.
More than half of our brain tissue consists of the white matter, in which myelin is abundant. However, there are still many unknown mechanisms in oligodendrocyte and myelin functions, and they are indeed mysterious and attractive to study. Therefore, studies on oligodendrocyte biology and CNS myelination may reveal new aspects in brain science. Here, we would like to review the remarkable findings of recent studies on the functions and characteristics of oligodendrocyte/myelin in development and disease. The goal of this collection is to bring together the brilliant discoveries in this research field.
With this Research Topic we seek contributions that showcase the most exciting developments in the field of oligodendrocyte and myelin research that include, but are not limited to, the following themes
• Molecular mechanisms of development, differentiation, and myelination of oligodendrocytes.
• Molecular interactions between oligodendrocytes and axons for myelination.
• Metabolic support of axons by oligodendrocytes through myelin.
• Neuronal activity dependent myelination by oligodendrocytes.
• Heterogeneity of oligodendrocytes.
• Communications of oligodendrocytes with other cell types in the CNS.
• Novel discoveries in the mechanisms underlying oligodendrocyte and myelin dysfunction in disease
In the central nervous system (CNS), myelin is formed by oligodendrocytes and facilitates the rapid propagation of nerve conduction. Myelination is developmentally and plastically regulated by various factors, including neural activity-dependent releasing molecules, membrane proteins signaling between oligodendrocytes and axons, and oligodendroglial myelin proteins. Myelin also metabolically supports axonal homeostasis and survival. Therefore, abnormalities in myelination critically alter our CNS functions during periods of growth, maturation, and aging. In severe cases, these defects cause diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and leukodystrophy. In addition, oligodendrocytes are not all alike, but are subdivided into several types, which orchestrate to regulate our brain functions. In recent years, remarkable findings in these oligodendrocyte/myelin functions and mechanisms have been reported.
More than half of our brain tissue consists of the white matter, in which myelin is abundant. However, there are still many unknown mechanisms in oligodendrocyte and myelin functions, and they are indeed mysterious and attractive to study. Therefore, studies on oligodendrocyte biology and CNS myelination may reveal new aspects in brain science. Here, we would like to review the remarkable findings of recent studies on the functions and characteristics of oligodendrocyte/myelin in development and disease. The goal of this collection is to bring together the brilliant discoveries in this research field.
With this Research Topic we seek contributions that showcase the most exciting developments in the field of oligodendrocyte and myelin research that include, but are not limited to, the following themes
• Molecular mechanisms of development, differentiation, and myelination of oligodendrocytes.
• Molecular interactions between oligodendrocytes and axons for myelination.
• Metabolic support of axons by oligodendrocytes through myelin.
• Neuronal activity dependent myelination by oligodendrocytes.
• Heterogeneity of oligodendrocytes.
• Communications of oligodendrocytes with other cell types in the CNS.
• Novel discoveries in the mechanisms underlying oligodendrocyte and myelin dysfunction in disease