Oligodendrocyte precursors (OPCs) differentiate into oligodendrocytes that are the myelinating cells of the vertebrate CNS. Myelin sheaths wrap axons in the brain and spinal cord and maintain axonal function and promote rapid conduction of electrical impulses. Any damage to myelin sheaths, such as occurs in multiple sclerosis, results in loss of axonal conduction and ultimately axonal degeneration and irreversible neural disability leading to serious physical or mental impairments. Multiple sclerosis is a devastating disease that affects more than 300,000 individuals in the United States. Current therapies are directed towards regulating the inflammatory aspects of the disease, however long term functional recovery will depend upon successful myelin repair in the CNS. Recent studies suggest that many areas of demyelination in the brains of MS patients contain OPCs but the ability of these cells to repair damage is limited because they fail to differentiate for reasons tat are currently unknown. A detailed understanding of the mechanisms controlling OPC maturation and myelination will therefore provide new insights and novel therapeutic strategies for enhancing myelin repair in MS. The experiments described in this proposal will explore the roles of the intracellular signaling molecule cyclin dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) and its co-activators p35/p39, in regulating the development of OPCs, myelination and remyelination. Cdk5 is known to be involved in various signaling pathways that are key for CNS development. Our preliminary data has revealed novel functions of Cdk5 in controlling the development of OPC and myelination. The proposed study will explore whether Cdk5 within cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage regulates their development and myelination in vitro and in vivo using molecular and genetic approaches. We will identify the roles p35/p39 play in mediating Cdk5 modulation of OPC maturation and myelination. To determine whether the Cdk5 pathway is a novel potential target for therapeutic development we will test whether Cdk5 is essential for remyelination in adult CNS after the induction of focal demyelinating lesions. To accomplish this we will selectively delete Cdk5 from OPCs in the adult CNS during demyelination. Successful completion of the proposed studies will provide critical insights into the signaling mechanisms regulating OPC maturation and myelination and provide novel targets to promote myelin repair.

Public Health Relevance

Multiple sclerosis is a devastating, irreversible and progressive disease that result from failure of myelin repair and degeneration of demyelinated axons. Unfortunately, no effective therapeutics are currently available to promote myelin repair. Understanding OPC differentiation and myelination is critical for developing new strategies for promoting repair of myelin lesions in MS patients. We have identified Cdk5 as an important regulator of oligodendrocyte development and the current studies will define the role of Cdk5 and its activators, p35 and p39 in myelination and myelin repair. Results of our studies will provide critical insights into the signaling mechanisms regulating OPC maturation and myelination and provide novel targets to promote myelin repair.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS077942-05
Application #
8918033
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-E (90))
Program Officer
Morris, Jill A
Project Start
2011-09-30
Project End
2016-08-31
Budget Start
2015-09-01
Budget End
2016-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$343,438
Indirect Cost
$124,688
Name
Case Western Reserve University
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
077758407
City
Cleveland
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
44106
Luo, Fucheng; Zhang, Jessie; Burke, Kathryn et al. (2018) Oligodendrocyte-specific loss of Cdk5 disrupts the architecture of nodes of Ranvier as well as learning and memory. Exp Neurol 306:92-104
Luo, Fucheng; Tran, Amanda Phuong; Xin, Li et al. (2018) Modulation of proteoglycan receptor PTP? enhances MMP-2 activity to promote recovery from multiple sclerosis. Nat Commun 9:4126
Luo, Fucheng; Herrup, Karl; Qi, Xin et al. (2017) Inhibition of Drp1 hyper-activation is protective in animal models of experimental multiple sclerosis. Exp Neurol 292:21-34
Luo, Fucheng; Zhang, Jessie; Burke, Kathryn et al. (2016) The Activators of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 p35 and p39 Are Essential for Oligodendrocyte Maturation, Process Formation, and Myelination. J Neurosci 36:3024-37
Luo, FuCheng; Burke, Kathryn; Kantor, Christopher et al. (2014) Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 mediates adult OPC maturation and myelin repair through modulation of Akt and GsK-3? signaling. J Neurosci 34:10415-29
Yang, Yan; Wang, Haibo; Zhang, Jie et al. (2013) Cyclin dependent kinase 5 is required for the normal development of oligodendrocytes and myelin formation. Dev Biol 378:94-106
Bai, Lianhua; Hecker, Jordan; Kerstetter, Amber et al. (2013) Myelin repair and functional recovery mediated by neural cell transplantation in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Neurosci Bull 29:239-50
Yang, Yan; Lewis, Rebecca; Miller, Robert H (2011) Interactions between oligodendrocyte precursors control the onset of CNS myelination. Dev Biol 350:127-38