[HTML][HTML] Astrocytes promote myelination in response to electrical impulses

T Ishibashi, KA Dakin, B Stevens, PR Lee, SV Kozlov… - Neuron, 2006 - cell.com
T Ishibashi, KA Dakin, B Stevens, PR Lee, SV Kozlov, CL Stewart, RD Fields
Neuron, 2006cell.com
Myelin, the insulating layers of membrane wrapped around axons by oligodendrocytes, is
essential for normal impulse conduction. It forms during late stages of fetal development but
continues into early adult life. Myelination correlates with cognitive development and can be
regulated by impulse activity through unknown molecular mechanisms. Astrocytes do not
form myelin, but these nonneuronal cells can promote myelination in ways that are not
understood. Here, we identify a link between myelination, astrocytes, and electrical impulse …
Summary
Myelin, the insulating layers of membrane wrapped around axons by oligodendrocytes, is essential for normal impulse conduction. It forms during late stages of fetal development but continues into early adult life. Myelination correlates with cognitive development and can be regulated by impulse activity through unknown molecular mechanisms. Astrocytes do not form myelin, but these nonneuronal cells can promote myelination in ways that are not understood. Here, we identify a link between myelination, astrocytes, and electrical impulse activity in axons that is mediated by the cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). These findings show that LIF is released by astrocytes in response to ATP liberated from axons firing action potentials, and LIF promotes myelination by mature oligodendrocytes. This activity-dependent mechanism promoting myelination could regulate myelination according to functional activity or environmental experience and may offer new approaches to treating demyelinating diseases.
cell.com