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Lack of myelin improves axon survival in inflammatory lesions in the CNS

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By studying axonal pathology in human multiple sclerosis and its models, we observed that myelin ensheathment itself can be detrimental for axonal survival. We hypothesize that oligodendroglial support is disrupted under inflammatory conditions, with the most severe consequences for the axons that remain physically isolated from the extracellular milieu by myelin.

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Fig. 1: Damage to myelinated axons in MS lesions.

References

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This is a summary of: Schäffner, E. et al. Myelin insulation as a risk factor for axonal degeneration in autoimmune demyelinating disease. Nat. Neurosci. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-023-01366-9 (2023).

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Lack of myelin improves axon survival in inflammatory lesions in the CNS. Nat Neurosci 26, 1145–1146 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-023-01372-x

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