Somatodendritic Expression of JAM2 Inhibits Oligodendrocyte Myelination

Myelination occurs selectively around neuronal axons to increase the efficiency and velocity of action potentials. While oligodendrocytes are capable of myelinating permissive structures in the absence of molecular cues, structurally permissive neuronal somata and dendrites remain unmyelinated. Utilizing a purified spinal cord neuron-oligodendrocyte myelinating coculture system, we demonstrate that disruption of dynamic neuron-oligodendrocyte signaling by chemical crosslinking results in aberrant myelination of the somatodendritic compartment of neurons. We hypothesize that an inhibitory somatodendritic cue is necessary to prevent non-axonal myelination. Using next-generation sequencing and candidate profiling, we identify neuronal Junction Adhesion Molecule 2 (JAM2) as an inhibitory myelin-guidance molecule. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the somatodendritic compartment directly inhibits myelination, and suggest a model in which broadly indiscriminate myelination is tailored by inhibitory signaling to meet local myelination requirements

Astrocytes Underlie Neuroinflammatory Memory Impairment.

Neuroinflammation is being increasingly recognized as a potential mediator of cognitive impairments in various neurological conditions. Habbas et al. demonstrate that the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha signals through astrocytes to alter synaptic transmission and impair cognition in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Astrocytes Underlie Neuroinflammatory Memory Impairment.

Neuroinflammation is being increasingly recognized as a potential mediator of cognitive impairments in various neurological conditions. Habbas et al. demonstrate that the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha signals through astrocytes to alter synaptic transmission and impair cognition in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Architecting the myelin landscape

Myelin increases the speed and efficiency of action potential propagation. Yet, not all axons are myelinated and some axons are discontinuously myelinated, prompting the question of how myelinating glia select axons for myelination. Whereas myelination by Schwann cells depends on axonal induction, oligodendrocytes can form myelin membrane in the absence of axons. However, oligodendrocytes alone cannot architect the complex myelination patterns of the central nervous system and recent advances have implicated axonal signaling in this process. This review considers how oligodendrocytes and their precursors could be influenced by inductive, attractive, permissive, repulsive, and preventative cues, and discusses recent evidence identifying synaptic activity and membrane-bound adhesion molecules as such cues directing axon selection

Astrocytes Underlie Neuroinflammatory Memory Impairment

Neuroinflammation is being increasingly recognized as a potential mediator of cognitive impairments in various neurological conditions. Habbas et al. demonstrate that the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha signals through astrocytes to alter synaptic transmission and impair cognition in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis