中枢神经系统少突胶质细胞前体细胞产生的研究进展

Progresses on the Generation of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells in Central Nervous System

少突胶质细胞(oligodendrocytes,OLs)在脊椎动物中枢神经系统(central nervous system,CNS)中负责形成包裹神经元轴突的髓鞘,保证神经冲动沿轴突的快速传导,并为其提供营养支持。OLs发育异常及损伤会导致严重的神经系统疾病,比如脑白质营养不良(leukodystrophy)、多发性硬化症(multiple sclerosis,MS)等。少突胶质细胞前体细胞(oligodendrocyte progenitor cells,OPCs)在胚胎期由神经前体细胞(neural progenitor cells,NPCs)产生,该过程受到一系列细胞内外因素的调控,对这一问题的研究也是神经系统研究的重要内容。现主要基于遗传学结果,简述关于OPCs产生的调控机制的最新研究进展。

Myelin sheath formed by oligodendrocytes （OLs） wraps axons in the central nervous system （CNS）, ensures rapid conduction of nerve impulses and metabolically supports axons. Abnormal development of oligodendrocytes causes severe neurological diseases, such as leukodystrophy and multiple sclerosis （MS）. The generation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells （OPCs） from neural progenitor cells （NPCs） is regulated precisely by multiple intracellular and extracellular factors, and belongs to the major contents of neurobiological researches. Based on substantial researches in recent years, the progresses on OPC generation are summarized here.