AUTORADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF CELLULAR PROLIFERATION IN REMYELINATION OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS-SYSTEM

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 95  (3) , 683-696
Abstract
The proliferation and origin of remyelinating oligodendrocytes was studied by light microscopy and EM autoradiography in the superior cerebellar peduncles of mice demyelinated by cuprizone. In the early phases of demyelination, the cells undergoing mitotic activity were macrophages and astrocytes. In the later phases of demyelination, immature proliferating oligodendrocytes appeared; these differentiated into mature (dark) oligodendrocytes which were responsible for the remyelination of axons seen when animals were again placed on normal diets. The pattern of differentiation recapitulated that seen in developing oligodendrocytes in normal animals. Dark oligodendrocytes did not show mitotic activity. There was no mitotic activity in the sub-ependymal cells around the 4th ventricle adjacent to the superior cerebellar peduncles. The regenerative capacity of oligodendrocytes and their ability to carry out remyelination in the CNS was demonstrated.