J Neurosci Res 2001 Dec 15;66(6):1173-1178
Copelman CA, Diemel LT, Gveric D,
Gregson NA, Cuzner ML.
Department of Neurochemistry, Institute
of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
An increased level of myelin basic protein (MBP) degradation peptide 80-89, representative of myelin breakdown, is detected in myelinating foetal rat brain aggregate cultures supplemented with peritoneal macrophages at a time coinciding with the onset of myelination.
During the period of myelination, the proportion of activated macrophages/microglia in the aggregates decreases, accompanied by a reduction in the content of MBP degradation products.
During the recovery period following a demyelinating episode, the rate of MBP synthesis in antibody-treated standard aggregates was greater than in their medium controls.
However, the rate of MBP accumulation was not as efficient in macrophage-enriched aggregates and was associated with persistently raised MBP peptide levels.
Thus, as occurs in multiple sclerosis
lesions, attempts at remyelination appear to be counterbalanced by macrophage-mediated
demyelination, with the continued presence of degraded myelin rendering
a local environment that is not fully conducive to remyelination.
PMID: 11746450 [PubMed - as supplied
by publisher]
Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.