Oligodendrocyte Dynamics in the Healthy Adult CNS: Evidence for Myelin Remodeling

Summary Oligodendrocyte precursors (OPs) continue to proliferate and generate myelinating oligodendrocytes (OLs) well into adulthood. It is not known whether adult-born OLs ensheath previously unmyelinated axons or remodel existing myelin. We quantified OP division and OL production in different regions of the adult mouse CNS including the 4-month-old optic nerve, in which practically all axons are already myelinated. Even there, all OPs were dividing and generating new OLs and myelin at a rate higher than can be explained by first-time myelination of naked axons. We conclude that adult-born OLs in the optic nerve are engaged in myelin remodeling, either replacing OLs that die in service or intercalating among existing myelin sheaths. The latter would predict that average internode length should decrease with age. Consistent with that, we found that adult-born OLs elaborated much shorter but many more internodes than OLs generated during early postnatal life.
Highlights ► Quanitification of oligodendrocyte (OL) and myelin production in the adult mouse CNS ► OLs are made even in the optic nerve, where nearly all axons are already myelinated ► Adult-born OLs in the optic nerve appear to engage in myelin remodeling
It is not known whether adult-born oligodendrocytes ensheath previously unmyelinated axons or remodel existing myelin. In this study, Young et al. find evidence for myelin remodeling by adult-born oligodendrocytes in the optic nerve.