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Journal of Neuroinflammation
Published in: Journal of Neuroinflammation 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Research

Mertk-expressing microglia influence oligodendrogenesis and myelin modelling in the CNS

Authors: Linda T. Nguyen, Andrea Aprico, Eze Nwoke, Alexander D. Walsh, Farrah Blades, Raphael Avneri, Elodie Martin, Bernard Zalc, Trevor J. Kilpatrick, Michele D. Binder

Published in: Journal of Neuroinflammation | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

Microglia, an immune cell found exclusively within the CNS, initially develop from haematopoietic stem cell precursors in the yolk sac and colonise all regions of the CNS early in development. Microglia have been demonstrated to play an important role in the development of oligodendrocytes, the myelin producing cells in the CNS, as well as in myelination. Mertk is a receptor expressed on microglia that mediates immunoregulatory functions, including myelin efferocytosis.

Findings

Here we demonstrate an unexpected role for Mertk-expressing microglia in both oligodendrogenesis and myelination. The selective depletion of Mertk from microglia resulted in reduced oligodendrocyte production in early development and the generation of pathological myelin. During demyelination, mice deficient in microglial Mertk had thinner myelin and showed signs of impaired OPC differentiation. We established that Mertk signalling inhibition impairs oligodendrocyte repopulation in Xenopus tadpoles following demyelination.

Conclusion

These data highlight the importance of microglia in myelination and are the first to identify Mertk as a regulator of oligodendrogenesis and myelin ultrastructure.
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Metadata
Title
Mertk-expressing microglia influence oligodendrogenesis and myelin modelling in the CNS
Authors
Linda T. Nguyen
Andrea Aprico
Eze Nwoke
Alexander D. Walsh
Farrah Blades
Raphael Avneri
Elodie Martin
Bernard Zalc
Trevor J. Kilpatrick
Michele D. Binder
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Neuroinflammation / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1742-2094
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-023-02921-8

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