Electrical stimulation promotes the survival of oligodendrocytes in mixed cortical cultures

Devin S. Gary, Misti Malone, Paul Capestany, Thierry Houdayer, John W. Mcdonald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Oligodendrocyte (OLG) death plays a major role in white matter dysfunction and demyelination following injury to the CNS. Axonal contact, communication, and neuronal activity appear to promote OLG survival and function in cell culture and during development. The application of electrical stimulation to mixed neural cultures has been shown to promote OLG differentiation and the formation of myelin in vitro. Here we show that OLG viability can be significantly enhanced in mixed cortical cultures by applying biphasic pulses of electrical stimulation (ESTIM). Enhanced survival via ESTIM requires the presence of neurons and is suppressed by inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels. Additionally, contact between the axon and OLG is necessary for ESTIM to promote OLG survival. This report suggests that patterned neuronal activity could repress delayed progression of white matter injury and promote CNS repair in neurological conditions that involve white matter damage.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)72-83
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of neuroscience research
Volume90
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Electrical stimulation
  • Neuron
  • Neuronal activity
  • Oligodendrocyte

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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