Abstract
NG2 immunopositive progenitor cells, also simply termed as NG2 glia and thought mainly to be oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), form synaptic connections with neurons in gray and white matters of brain. One of the most classical features of oligodendrocyte lineage cells is myelination, which will favor neuronal signaling transmission. Thus, is there a causal link between the specific synapses of neuron-NG2 glia and myelination? Building on this, here, we will discuss several relevant issues. First, in order to understand the synapses, it is necessary to integrate the definite inputs onto NG2 glia. We show that the synaptic activities and myelination are not synchronized, so the synapses are more likely to regulate early development of NG2 glia and prepare for myelination. Furthermore, several studies have suggested that the synapses also play a role in recovery of pathological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Therefore, elucidating the activities of neuron-NG2 glia synapses will be beneficial for both physiological and pathological conditions.
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Abbreviations
- AMPA:
-
α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid
- CNS:
-
Central nervous system
- DPL:
-
Day post lesion
- EPSCs:
-
Excitatory postsynaptic currents
- FSIs:
-
Fast-spiking interneurons
- GABA:
-
γ-Aminobutyric acid
- IPSCs:
-
Inhibitory postsynaptic currents
- MNTB:
-
Medial nucleus of the trapezoid body
- MS:
-
Multiple sclerosis
- NFSIs:
-
Non-fast-spiking interneurons
- NMDA:
-
N-methyl-D-aspartate
- OL:
-
Oligodendrocyte
- OPCs:
-
Oligodendrocyte precursor cells
- PV:
-
Parvalbumin
- SVZ:
-
Subventricular zone
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This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31371147) and the Innovative Science Project of Chongqing for Graduate Students (No. CYB17136).
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Highlights
1. Innervation of NG2 glia is similar to a neuron-neuron pattern.
2. The neuron-NG2 glia synapses support myelination indirectly by promoting development of NG2 glia.
3. The regulation pattern altered from synaptic to extrasynaptic communication in late stage.
4. Remyelination may be enhanced by activities of neuron-NG2 glia synapses.
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Li, R., Zhang, P., Zhang, M. et al. The roles of neuron-NG2 glia synapses in promoting oligodendrocyte development and remyelination. Cell Tissue Res 381, 43–53 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-020-03195-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-020-03195-9