Chronic stress regulates NG2(+) cell maturation and myelination in the prefrontal cortex through induction of death receptor 6.

Chronic stress regulates NG2(+) cell maturation and myelination in the prefrontal cortex through induction of death receptor 6.
Exp Neurol. 2016 Jan 6;
Authors: Yang Y, Zhang Y, Luo F, Li B
Abstract
Chronic stress significantly affects neuron morphometry and function in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region controlling cognition and emotion. However, whether and how chronic stress regulates the maturation of NG2-expressing oligodendrocyte precursor cells (NG2(+) cells) and the importance of these changes remained unknown. Here, we report that exposing adult mice to chronic stress results in NG2(+) cells atrophy and myelination arrested in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and impaired mPFC-dependent functions. These alterations, are phenocopied by overexpression of death receptor 6 (DR6) in NG2(+) cells. Conversely, selectively silencing of DR6 in the NG2(+) cells can partly rescue NG2(+) cells atrophy and cognitive deficiency caused by chronic stress. We further demonstrate that myelination appears necessary for mPFC-dependent cognitive processes, as lysolecithin (LPC)-induced demyelination specifically in the mPFC is sufficient to cause these behavioral and cognitive impairments. Our results indicate that chronic stress impairs cognitive functions, at least in part, through modulation of NG2(+) cell maturation and myelination, and suggest that myelination is require for normal cognitive functions.
PMID: 26772637 [PubMed ...

Source: Experimental Neurology - January 6, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Yang Y, Zhang Y, Luo F, Li B Tags: Exp Neurol Source Type: research