Research Progress in Remyelination

Half of the brain is composed of white matter, which is mainly made up of myelinating glial cells and myelin-wrapping axons. The rapid electrical propagation of impulse is indispensable for the thinking and movement of higher vertebrates. Myelin insulates axons to ensure the transmission of electrical signals. It is also responsible for physical protection, energy support, and homeostasis of neurons. When demyelination occurs in the central nervous system, oligodendrocyte precursor cells undergo a process called remyelination, including activation, migration, proliferation and myelination, wrapping axons at the lesion to form new myelin sheaths. As for in the peripheral nervous system, Schwann cells convert into repairing Schwann cells, assist in cleaning damaged debris and axonal regeneration, and form myelin sheaths in the last. Myelin related disease, such as multiple sclerosis, is one of the most common neurological diseases among young people, causing considerable damage to people and economy in many countries. Some studies have indicated that human brain aging can be intervened by promoting myelin regeneration. Therefore, researches on remyelination are of great significance in clinical treatment, economic development and social stability. This review focuses on the topic of remyelination. It describes the processes and mechanisms of remyelination, the involved cells, the reasons for the failure of remyelination, current improvement and therapeutics, as well as the impact on myelination. The animal models used for research of remyelination are also introduced. The authors discuss the academic value of the research related to remyelination and the remaining issues in this field, so as to provide critical clues to the topic of remyelination.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2022.08.0010