Growth factors and remyelination in the CNS

• Woodruff, R. H. ^[1] ; Franklin, R. J. M. ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Cambridge

     University of Cambridge

     Cambridge District, Reino Unido

     
• Localización: Histology and histopathology: cellular and molecular biology, ISSN-e 1699-5848, ISSN 0213-3911, Vol. 12, Nº. 2, 1997, págs. 459-466
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • It is now well established that the re is an inhe re nt ca paci ty wi thin the centra l ne rvous system (CNS) to remye linate areas of w hite matter that have undergone demye lination. However this repair process is not unive rsa ll y consistent or sustained, and persistent demye lination occurs in a number of situations, most notably in the chroni c multiple sclerosis (MS) plaque.

    Thus there is a need to investigate ways in which mye lin deficits within the CNS may be restored. One approach to this probl em is to investi ga te ways in whic h the inhe re nt remye lin at ing capac it y of the CNS may be stimul a te d to re mye lin a te a reas of lo ng -te rm d e - mye linat ion. The expression of growth facto rs, w hi c h are known to be involved in developmenta l mye linogenesis, in areas of demye lination strongly suggests that th ey a re in vo lve d in s po nt a neo us rem ye lin a ti o n .

    The refore de live ry of exoge nous g rowth fac to rs into a reas of pe rsiste nt d e mye lin a ti o n is a po te nti a l therapeutic strategy fo r stimul ating remye lination. This review will discuss the evidence that growth factors may h ave a ro le in pr o mo tin g C NS re m ye lin a ti o n b y enhancing the surviva l and stimul ating the prolife ration and recruitment of remyelinating oligodendrocytes.