Circulating transforming growth factor-β1 facilitates remyelination in the adult central nervous system

Elife. 2019 May 9:8:e41869. doi: 10.7554/eLife.41869.

Abstract

Oligodendrocyte maturation is necessary for functional regeneration in the CNS; however, the mechanisms by which the systemic environment regulates oligodendrocyte maturation is unclear. We found that Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, which is present in higher levels in the systemic environment, promotes oligodendrocyte maturation. Oligodendrocyte maturation was enhanced by adult mouse serum treatment via TGF-β type I receptor. Decrease in circulating TGF-β1 level prevented remyelination in the spinal cord after toxin-induced demyelination. TGF-β1 administration promoted remyelination and restored neurological function in a multiple sclerosis animal model. Furthermore, TGF-β1 treatment stimulated human oligodendrocyte maturation. These data provide the therapeutic possibility of TGF-β for demyelinating diseases.

Keywords: brain; human; mouse; neuroscience; spinal cord; systemic environment; white matter.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Central Nervous System / drug effects*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / chemically induced
  • Demyelinating Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Oligodendroglia / drug effects*
  • Remyelination / drug effects*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / administration & dosage*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / blood
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Associated data

  • Dryad/10.5061/dryad.nj51t60