Glutamate signalling: A multifaceted modulator of oligodendrocyte lineage cells in health and disease. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spitzer, Sonia; Volbracht, Katrin; Lundgaard, Iben; Káradóttir, Ragnhildur T.
• Is Part Of: Neuropharmacology. Volume 110:Part B(2016)
• Page Start: 574
• Page End: 585
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Oligodendrocyte -- Myelination -- Remyelination -- Glutamate -- Oligodendrocyte precursor cell -- Neuronal activity -- Proliferation -- Differentiation; Neuropsychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Autonomic Agents -- Periodicals; Neuropsychopharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neuropsychopharmacology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.06.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-3908

Abstract

Abstract: Myelin is essential for the mammalian brain to function efficiently. Whilst many factors have been associated with regulating the differentiation of oligodendroglia and myelination, glutamate signalling might be particularly important for learning-dependent myelination. The majority of myelinated projection neurons are glutamatergic. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells receive glutamatergic synaptic inputs from unmyelinated axons and oligodendrocyte lineage cells express glutamate receptors which enable them to monitor and respond to changes in neuronal activity. Yet, what role glutamate plays for oligodendroglia is not fully understood. Here, we review glutamate signalling and its effects on oligodendrocyte lineage cells, and myelination in health and disease. Furthermore, we discuss whether glutamate signalling between neurons and oligodendroglia might lay the foundation to activity-dependent white matter plasticity. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Oligodendrocytes in Health and Disease'. Highlights: Glutamate is a universal signalling molecule across cell types and the phylogenetic tree. Glutamate modulates OPC migration, proliferation, differentiation and (re)myelination. Glutamate regulates activity-dependent myelination and potentially myelin plasticity. Glutamate release in the CNS occurs in multiple ways both at and beyond the synapse. The information conveyed by glutamate signalling depends on the release mechanism.