Failure of remyelination is largely responsible for sustained neurologic symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). MS lesions contain hyaluronan deposits that inhibit oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) maturation. However, the mechanism behind this inhibition is unclear. We report here that Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is expressed by oligodendrocytes and is up-regulated in MS lesions. Pathogen-der...

Failure of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) to differentiate and remyelinate axons is thought to be a major cause of the limited ability of the central nervous system to repair plaques of immune-mediated demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS). Current therapies for MS aim to lessen the immune response in order to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, but these existing therapies...

Oligodendroglial markers in the cuprizone model of CNS de-and remyelination. Mesenchymal stem cells do not exert direct beneficial effects on CNS remyelination in the absence of the peripheral immune system. Results of this thesis were presented in the following scientific meetings: Influence of mesenchymal stem cells on the remyelination process in the cuprizone murine model. Influence of mese...

One important therapeutic goal during CNS injury from trauma or demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis is to develop methods to promote remyelination. We tested the hypothesis that spontaneous remyelination in the toxic nonimmune model of lysolecithin-induced demyelination can be enhanced by manipulating the inflammatory response. In PBS-treated SJL/J mice, the number of remyelinatin...

White matter injury, consisting of loss of axons, myelin, and oligodendrocytes, is common in many neurological disorders and is believed to underlie several motor and sensory deficits. Remyelination is the process in which the insulative myelin sheath is restored to axons, thereby facilitating recovery from functional loss. Remyelination proceeds with oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) that...

In the central nervous system (CNS) of man, evolutionary pressure has preserved some capability for remyelination while axonal regeneration is very limited. In contrast, two efficient programmes of regeneration exist in the adult fish CNS, neurite regrowth and remyelination. The rapidity of CNS remyelination is critical since it not only restores fast conduction of nerve impulses but also maint...

We used transgenic expression of capsid antigens to Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) to study how the immune response to VP1 and VP2 influences spinal cord demyelination, remyelination and axonal loss during the acute and chronic phases of infection. Expression from birth of capsid antigen under the ubiquitin promoter resulted in tolerance to the antigen and absence of an immune ...

Whereas the central nervous system (CNS) usually cannot regenerate, peripheral nerves regenerate spontaneously after injury because of a permissive environment and activation of the intrinsic growth capacity of neurons. Functional regeneration requires axon regrowth and remyelination of the regenerated axons by Schwann cells. Multiple factors including neurotrophic factors, extracellular matrix...

Demyelination is observed in numerous diseases of the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the endogenous regenerative process of remyelination can replace myelin lost in disease, and in various animal models. Unfortunately, the process of remyelination often fails, particularly with ageing. Even when remyelination occurs, it is characterised by the regeneration o...