Biochimica et biophysica acta
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Biochim. Biophys. Acta · Feb 2011
ReviewCells of the oligodendroglial lineage, myelination, and remyelination.
Myelin is critical in maintaining electrical impulse conduction in the central nervous system. The oligodendrocyte is the cell type responsible for myelin production within this compartment. The mutual supply of trophic support between oligodendrocytes and the underlying axons may indicate why demyelinated axons undergo degeneration more readily; the latter contributes to the neural decline in multiple sclerosis (MS). ⋯ The limited remyelination observed in more chronic MS lesions may reflect intrinsic properties of neural cells or extrinsic deterrents. Therapeutic strategies currently under development include transplantation of exogenous OPCs and promotion of remyelination by endogenous OPCs. All currently approved MS therapies are aimed at dampening the immune response and are not directly targeting neural processes.