oligodendrocite

Oligodendrocite, the French term for oligodendrocyte, is a type of glial cell in the central nervous system (CNS) that forms and maintains the myelin sheath around many axons, enabling fast nerve signal conduction.

Oligodendrocytes originate from oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) that express markers such as PDGFRα and NG2. During development, OPCs differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes under the influence of transcription factors including Olig1 and Olig2. Mature cells express myelin-related proteins such as myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein (PLP1), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), and CNPase. One oligodendrocyte can extend multiple processes to enwrap segments of several axons.

In the CNS, the myelin sheath consists of multiple compacted membranes rich in lipids, produced by oligodendrocytes. Myelination increases conduction velocity through saltatory conduction and reduces energy demands for signaling. Nodes of Ranvier are gaps between myelin segments where voltage-gated channels are concentrated. Beyond insulation, oligodendrocytes participate in metabolic support of axons, including lactate shuttling, and form gap junctions with neighboring glial cells to help maintain homeostasis.

Clinical relevance centers on demyelinating conditions such as multiple sclerosis, in which oligodendrocyte loss or dysfunction leads to impaired conduction and neurological deficits. Remyelination can occur via OPC differentiation, but this process may fail or become incomplete with disease. In adulthood, OPCs persist and can generate new oligodendrocytes in response to injury, representing a potential target for therapies aimed at promoting repair.