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Apoptosis of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system results in rapid focal demyelination.

ABSTRACT: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that presents with variable pathologies that may reflect different disease-causing mechanisms. Existing animal models of MS induce pathology using either local injection of gliotoxins or stimulation of the immune system with myelin-related peptides. In none of these models is the primary cellular target well characterized, and although demyelination is a hallmark pathological feature in MS, it is unclear to what extent this reflects local oligodendrocyte loss. To unambiguously identify the effects of oligodendrocyte death in the absence of inflammatory stimulation, we developed a method for experimentally inducing programmed cell death selectively in mature oligodendrocytes and assessed the effects on demyelination, immunological stimulation, and gliosis. The resulting pathology is discussed relative to observed MS pathologies.Oligodendrocyte apoptosis was induced in the adult rat brain using a lentivirus to express experimentally inducible caspase 9 (iCP9) cDNA under transcriptional control of the promoter for myelin basic protein, which is oligodendrocyte-specific. Activation of iCP9 was achieved by distal injection of a small molecule dimerizer into the lateral ventricle resulting in localized, acute oligodendrocyte apoptosis.Induced oligodendrocyte apoptosis resulted in rapid demyelination and robust, localized microglial activation in the absence of peripheral immune cell infiltration. Lesion borders showed layers of preserved and degraded myelin, whereas lesion cores were demyelinated but only partially cleared of myelin debris. This resulted in local proliferation and mobilization of the oligodendrocyte progenitor pool.This approach provides a novel model to understand the pathological changes that follow from localized apoptosis of myelinating oligodendrocytes. It provides the first direct proof that initiation of apoptosis in oligodendrocytes is sufficient to cause rapid demyelination, gliosis, and a microglial response that result in lesions sharing some pathological characteristics with a subset of MS lesions.

SUBMITTER: Caprariello AV

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3464960 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Apoptosis of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system results in rapid focal demyelination.

Caprariello Andrew V AV Mangla Saisho S Miller Robert H RH Selkirk Stephen M SM

Annals of neurology 20120901 3

<h4>Objective</h4>Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that presents with variable pathologies that may reflect different disease-causing mechanisms. Existing animal models of MS induce pathology using either local injection of gliotoxins or stimulation of the immune system with myelin-related peptides. In none of these models is the primary cellular target well characterized, and although demyelination is a hallmark pathological feature in MS, it is u ...[more]

PMID: 23034912

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Project description:UnlabelledClostridium perfringens epsilon toxin (?-toxin) is responsible for a devastating multifocal central nervous system (CNS) white matter disease in ruminant animals. The mechanism by which ?-toxin causes white matter damage is poorly understood. In this study, we sought to determine the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which ?-toxin causes pathological changes to white matter. In primary CNS cultures, ?-toxin binds to and kills oligodendrocytes but not astrocytes, microglia, or neurons. In cerebellar organotypic culture, ?-toxin induces demyelination, which occurs in a time- and dose-dependent manner, while preserving neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. ?-Toxin specificity for oligodendrocytes was confirmed using enriched glial culture. Sensitivity to ?-toxin is developmentally regulated, as only mature oligodendrocytes are susceptible to ?-toxin; oligodendrocyte progenitor cells are not. ?-Toxin sensitivity is also dependent on oligodendrocyte expression of the proteolipid myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL), as MAL-deficient oligodendrocytes are insensitive to ?-toxin. In addition, ?-toxin binding to white matter follows the spatial and temporal pattern of MAL expression. A neutralizing antibody against ?-toxin inhibits oligodendrocyte death and demyelination. This study provides several novel insights into the action of ?-toxin in the CNS. (i) ?-Toxin causes selective oligodendrocyte death while preserving all other neural elements. (ii) ?-Toxin-mediated oligodendrocyte death is a cell autonomous effect. (iii) The effects of ?-toxin on the oligodendrocyte lineage are restricted to mature oligodendrocytes. (iv) Expression of the developmentally regulated proteolipid MAL is required for the cytotoxic effects. (v) The cytotoxic effects of ?-toxin can be abrogated by an ?-toxin neutralizing antibody.ImportanceOur intestinal tract is host to trillions of microorganisms that play an essential role in health and homeostasis. Disruption of this symbiotic relationship has been implicated in influencing or causing disease in distant organ systems such as the brain. Epsilon toxin (?-toxin)-carrying Clostridium perfringens strains are responsible for a devastating white matter disease in ruminant animals that shares similar features with human multiple sclerosis. In this report, we define the mechanism by which ?-toxin causes white matter disease. We find that ?-toxin specifically targets the myelin-forming cells of the central nervous system (CNS), oligodendrocytes, leading to cell death. The selectivity of ?-toxin for oligodendrocytes is remarkable, as other cells of the CNS are unaffected. Importantly, ?-toxin-induced oligodendrocyte death results in demyelination and is dependent on expression of myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL). These results help complete the mechanistic pathway from bacteria to brain by explaining the specific cellular target of ?-toxin within the CNS.

Project description:IntroductionChronic progressive neuroinflammation is a hallmark of neurological lysosomal storage diseases, including mucopolysaccharidosis III (MPS III or Sanfilippo disease). Since neuroinflammation is linked to white matter tract pathology, we analyzed axonal myelination and white matter density in the mouse model of MPS IIIC HgsnatP304L and post-mortem brain samples of MPS III patients.MethodsBrain and spinal cord tissues of human MPS III patients, 6-month-old HgsnatP304L mice and age- and sex-matching wild type mice were analyzed by immunofluorescence to assess levels of myelin-associated proteins, primary and secondary storage materials, and levels of microgliosis. Corpus callosum (CC) region was studied by transmission electron microscopy to analyze axon myelination and morphology of oligodendrocytes and microglia. Mouse brains were analyzed ex vivo by high-filed MRI using Diffusion Basis Spectrum Imaging in Python-Diffusion tensor imaging algorithms.ResultsAnalyses of CC and spinal cord tissues by immunohistochemistry revealed substantially reduced levels of myelin-associated proteins including Myelin Basic Protein, Myelin Associated Glycoprotein, and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein. Furthermore, ultrastructural analyses revealed disruption of myelin sheath organization and reduced myelin thickness in the brains of MPS IIIC mice and human MPS IIIC patients compared to healthy controls. Oligodendrocytes (OLs) in the CC of MPS IIIC mice were scarce, while examination of the remaining cells revealed numerous enlarged lysosomes containing heparan sulfate, GM3 ganglioside or "zebra bodies" consistent with accumulation of lipids and myelin fragments. In addition, OLs contained swollen mitochondria with largely dissolved cristae, resembling those previously identified in the dysfunctional neurons of MPS IIIC mice. Ex vivo Diffusion Basis Spectrum Imaging revealed compelling signs of demyelination (26% increase in radial diffusivity) and tissue loss (76% increase in hindered diffusivity) in CC of MPS IIIC mice.DiscussionOur findings demonstrate an important role for white matter injury in the pathophysiology of MPS III. This study also defines specific parameters and brain regions for MRI analysis and suggests that it may become a crucial non-invasive method to evaluate disease progression and therapeutic response.

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Apoptosis of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system results in rapid focal demyelination.

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Apoptosis of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system results in rapid focal demyelination.

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