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Aging impairs regenerative processes including remyelination, the synthesis of a new myelin sheath. Microglia and other infiltrating myeloid cells such as macrophages are essential for remyelination through mechanisms that include the clearance of inhibitory molecules within the lesion. Prior studies have shown that the quantity of myeloid cells and the clearance of inhibitory myelin debris are deficient in aging, contributing to the decline in remyelination efficiency with senescence. It is unknown, however, whether the impaired clearance of debris is simply the result of the reduced number of phagocytes or if the dynamic activity of myeloid cells within the demyelinating plaque also declines with aging and this question is relevant to the proper design of therapeutics to mobilize myeloid cells for repair. Herein, we describe a high-resolution multiphoton ex vivo live imaging protocol that visualizes individual myelinated/demyelinated axons and lipid-containing myeloid cells to investigate the demyelinated lesion of aging female mice.Wefound that aging lesions have fewer myeloid cells and that these have reduced phagocytosis of myelin. Although the myeloid cells are actively migratory within the lesion of young mice and have protrusions that seem to survey the environment, this motility and surveillance is significantly reduced in aging mice. Our results emphasize the necessity of not only increasing the number of phagocytes, but also enhancing their activity once they are within demyelinated lesions. The high-resolution live imaging of demyelinated lesions can serve as a platform with which to discover pharmacological agents that rejuvenate intralesional remodeling that promotes the repair of plaques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remyelination following spinal cord injury (SCI) is thought to be incomplete; demyelination is reported to persist chronically and is proposed as a compelling therapeutic target. Yet most reports do not distinguish between the myelin status of intact axons and injurysevered axons whose proximal stumps persist but provide no meaningful function. We previously found full remyelination of spared, intact rubrospinal axons caudal to the lesion in chronic mouse SCI. However, the clinical concept of chronically demyelinated spared axons remains controversial. Since mouse models may have limitations in clinical translation, we asked whether the capacity for full remyelination is conserved in clinically relevant chronic rat SCI. We determined myelin status by examining paranodal protein distribution on anterogradely labeled, intact corticospinal and rubrospinal axons throughout the extent of the lesion. Demyelination was evident on proximal stumps of severed axons, but not on intact axons. For the first time, we demonstrate that a majority of intact axons exhibit remyelination (at least one abnormally short internode, 100 m). Remarkably, shortened internodes were significantly concentrated at the lesion epicenter and individual axons were thinned by 23% compared with their rostral and caudal zones. Mathematical modeling predicted a 25% decrease in conduction velocity at the lesion epicenter due to short internodes and axonal thinning. In conclusion, we do not find a large chronically demyelinated population to target with remyelination therapies. Interventions may be better focused on correcting structural or molecular abnormalities of regenerated myelin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transplantation of exogenous cells is one approach to spinal cord repair that could potentially enhance the growth and myelination of endogenous axons. Here, we asked whether skin-derived precursors (SKPs), a neural crest-like precursor that can be isolated and expanded from mammalian skin, could be used to repair the injured rat spinal cord. To ask this question, we isolated and expanded genetically tagged murine SKPs and either transplanted them directly into the contused rat spinal cord or differentiated them into Schwann cells (SCs), and performed similar transplantations with the isolated, expanded SKP-derived SCs. Neuroanatomical analysis of these transplants 12 weeks after transplantation revealed that both cell types survived well within the injured spinal cord, reduced the size of the contusion cavity, myelinated endogenous host axons, and recruited endogenous SCs into the injured cord. However, SKP-derived SCs also provided a bridge across the lesion site, increased the size of the spared tissue rim, myelinated spared axons within the tissue rim, reduced reactive gliosis, and provided an environment that was highly conducive to axonal growth. Importantly, SKP-derived SCs provided enhanced locomotor recovery relative to both SKPs and forebrain subventricular zone neurospheres, and had no impact on mechanical or heat sensitivity thresholds. Thus, SKP-derived SCs provide an accessible, potentially autologous source of cells for transplantation into and treatment of the injured spinal cord. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the article "Neutrophils express oncomodulin and promote optic nerve regeneration" by T. Kurimoto and others, which appeared in the September 2013 issue of the journal is presented.

The article offers information on the regeneration of Central Nervous System (CNS) fibres. It informs that the regeneration is possible by stimulating growth response within neurons, altering normal nonpermissive CNS environment and by providing a favourable growth substrate to bridge the injury site. The combinatorial strategy is used for axonal regeneration and is associated with enhanced spasticity.

It is widely recognized that myelination of axons greatly enhances the speed of signal transmission. An exciting new finding is the dynamic communication between axons and their myelin-forming oligodendrocytes, including activity-dependent signalling from axon to myelin. The oligodendrocyte-myelin complex may in turn respond by providing metabolic support or alter subtle myelin properties to modulate action potential propagation. In this Opinion, we discuss what is known regarding the molecular physiology of this novel, synapse-like communication and speculate on potential roles in disease states including multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and Alzheimer disease. An emerging appreciation of the contribution of white-matter perturbations to neurological dysfunction identifies the axo-myelinic synapse as a potential novel therapeutic target.

Background: Anti-oxidant compounds that are found in over-the-counter (OTC) supplements and foods are gaining interest as treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS). They are widely used by patients, sometimes without a clear evidence base., Objective: We conducted a systematic review of animal and clinical research to determine the evidence for the benefits of OTC anti-oxidants in MS., Methods: Using predefined criteria, we searched key databases. Two authors scrutinized all studies against inclusion/exclusion criteria, assessed study risk-of-bias and extracted results., Results: Of the 3507 titles, 145 met criteria and included compounds, α(alpha)-lipoic acid (ALA), anti-oxidant vitamins, Ginkgo biloba, quercetin, resveratrol and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (ECGC). The strongest evidence to support OTC anti-oxidants was for compounds EGCG and ALA in animal models; both consistently showed anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant effects and reduced neurological impairment. Only vitamin E, Ginkgo biloba and ALA were examined for efficacy in pilot clinical trials with either conflicting evidence or evidence of no benefit., Conclusion: OTC anti-oxidants EGCG and ALA show the most consistent benefit, however only in preclinical studies. There is no evidence that they alter MS relapses or progression. Future work should focus on testing more of these therapies for clinical efficacy before recommending them to MS patients., (© The Author(s), 2015.)