organotypic-slice-cultures-to-study-oligodendrocyte-dynamics

Organotypic Slice Cultures to Study Oligodendrocyte Dynamics and Myelination

NG2 expressing cells (polydendrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursor cells) are the fourth major glial cell population in the central nervous system. During ...

University of Connecticut

Glial cells that express the NG2 proteoglycan and the α receptor for PDGF (NG2 cells, polydendrocytes) make up the fifth major cell population that serves as oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in the postnatal CNS. Although recent studies have suggested differences in their proliferation and oligodendrocyte differentiation in gray and white matter, the mechanism underlying the observed differences has been unclear. Using organotypic slice cultures from the forebrain and cerebellum of early postnatal NG2creBAC:ZEG mice, we have compared basal and growth factor-induced proliferation of NG2 cells in gray and white matter. NG2 cells in white matter exhibited greater proliferative response to PDGF AA than those in gray matter. Heterotopic slice transplant and explant cultures suggested intrinsic mechanisms for the differential proliferative response of gray and white matter cells. Additionally, younger white matter NG2 cells showed a more robust proliferative response to PDGF. Basal and PDGF-induced proliferation of gray and white matter NG2 cells was largely dependent on Wnt/β-catenin and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase acting through the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway and not through ERK. These data uncover a previously unrecognized divergence between gray and white matter NG2 cells in the developing brain in their proliferative response to PDGF.

NG2 cells in white matter but not gray matter proliferate in response to PDGF.

Disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is a protein implicated in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and autism. To date, most of research examining DISC1 function has focused on its role in neurodevelopment, despite its presence throughout life. DISC1 also regulates cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling by increasing type 4 phosphodiesterase catabolism of cAMP when cAMP concentrations are high. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that DISC1, through its regulation of cAMP, modulates I-SK and I-TRPC channel-mediated ionic currents that we have shown previously to regulate the activity of mature prefrontal cortical pyramidal neurons.

Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 Modulates Medial Prefrontal Cortex Pyramidal Neuron Activity Through cAMP Regulation of Transient Receptor Potential C and Small-Conductance K(+) Channels.

Kiran D. Patel

Department of Physiology and Neurobiology

University of Connecticut

Organotypic Slice Cultures to Study Oligodendrocyte Dynamics and Myelination

Kiran D. Patel

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Department of Physiology and Neurobiology

University of Connecticut

Organotypic Slice Cultures to Study Oligodendrocyte Dynamics and Myelination

Department of Physiology and Neurobiology