Wang Wenjing, Huang Xueyan, Xu Zucai, Yu Changyin
Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Prevention and Treatment of Brain Disease, Zunyi, 563000, China.
Curr Alzheimer Res. 2025 Jul 7. doi: 10.2174/0115672050401966250625171338.
Oligodendrocytes (OLs) are the primary myelinating cells in the central nervous system (CNS), responsible for maintaining the rapid conduction of nerve signals and ensuring neuronal stability through metabolic and nutritional support. Recent studies have reported that OLs are also involved in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), particularly in the production and clearance of amyloid-beta (Aβ), exhibiting complex and critical regulatory functions. While traditional research has predominantly focused on the roles of neurons and microglia in Aβ metabolism, recent evidence indicates that OLs engage in a complex bidirectional interaction with Aβ in AD. On the one hand, OLs can produce Aβ, frequently generating aggregated and highly toxic Aβ42, which contributes to plaque expansion and disease progression. On the other hand, neuronderived Aβ exerts a concentration-dependent dual effect on OLs. At high concentrations, it induces oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, while at low concentrations, it promotes their differentiation and myelin repair functions. Therefore, OLs serve as both a "source" and a "target" of Aβ production and response, making them a key factor in AD pathogenesis. This review discusses the interaction between OLs and Aβ in AD, aiming to provide new perspectives on targeting OLs for AD therapy. Given the dual role of OLs in Aβ metabolism, targeting OLs dysfunction and the regulatory mechanisms underlying Aβ production and clearance could provide novel therapeutic strategies for AD. Future research should investigate the roles of specific OL populations (including oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), pre-myelinating OLs, and mature OLs) in Aβ generation and metabolism, focusing on the signaling pathways involved. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms by which OLs regulate other glial cells, such as astrocytes and microglia, through intercellular signaling to facilitate Aβ clearance and maintain neuroglial homeostasis warrant further exploration.
少突胶质细胞(OLs)是中枢神经系统(CNS)中的主要髓鞘形成细胞,负责维持神经信号的快速传导,并通过代谢和营养支持确保神经元的稳定性。最近的研究报道,OLs也参与阿尔茨海默病(AD)的发生和发展,特别是在β淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)的产生和清除方面,发挥着复杂而关键的调节作用。虽然传统研究主要集中在神经元和小胶质细胞在Aβ代谢中的作用,但最近的证据表明,OLs在AD中与Aβ存在复杂的双向相互作用。一方面,OLs可以产生Aβ,经常生成聚集的、毒性很强的Aβ42,这会导致斑块扩大和疾病进展。另一方面,神经元衍生的Aβ对OLs发挥浓度依赖性的双重作用。在高浓度时,它会诱导氧化应激和细胞凋亡,而在低浓度时,它会促进OLs的分化和髓鞘修复功能。因此,OLs既是Aβ产生和反应的“源头”,也是“靶点”,使其成为AD发病机制中的关键因素。本综述讨论了AD中OLs与Aβ之间的相互作用,旨在为针对OLs进行AD治疗提供新的视角。鉴于OLs在Aβ代谢中的双重作用,针对OLs功能障碍以及Aβ产生和清除的调控机制可能为AD提供新的治疗策略。未来的研究应调查特定OL群体(包括少突胶质前体细胞(OPCs)、未成熟髓鞘形成OLs和成熟OLs)在Aβ生成和代谢中的作用,重点关注相关信号通路。此外OLs通过细胞间信号传导调节其他胶质细胞(如星形胶质细胞和小胶质细胞)以促进Aβ清除和维持神经胶质稳态的分子机制值得进一步探索。