Oligodendrocytes in a Nutshell

John-Paul Michalski; Rashmi Kothary

doi:10.3389/fncel.2015.00340

Oligodendrocytes in a Nutshell

Front Cell Neurosci. 2015 Sep 1:9:340. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00340. eCollection 2015.

Authors

John-Paul Michalski¹, Rashmi Kothary²

Affiliations

¹ Ottawa Hospital Research Institute , Ottawa, ON , Canada ; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa , Ottawa, ON , Canada.
² Ottawa Hospital Research Institute , Ottawa, ON , Canada ; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa , Ottawa, ON , Canada ; Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa , Ottawa, ON , Canada ; Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa , Ottawa, ON , Canada.

Abstract

Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS). While the phrase is oft repeated and holds true, the last few years have borne witness to radical change in our understanding of this unique cell type. Once considered static glue, oligodendrocytes are now seen as plastic and adaptive, capable of reacting to a changing CNS. This review is intended as a primer and guide, exploring how the past 5 years have fundamentally altered our appreciation of oligodendrocyte development and CNS myelination.

Keywords: OPC; actin; cytoskeleton; glial cell; microtubule; myelin; myelination.

Publication types

Review