Remyelination in PNS and CNS: current and upcoming cellular and molecular strategies to treat disabling neuropathies

Mol Biol Rep. 2021 Dec;48(12):8097-8110. doi: 10.1007/s11033-021-06755-6. Epub 2021 Nov 3.

Abstract

Myelin is a lipid-rich nerve cover that consists of glial cell's plasmalemma layers and accelerates signal conduction. Axon-myelin contact is a source for many developmental and regenerative signals of myelination. Intra- or extracellular factors including both enhancers and inhibitors are other factors affecting the myelination process. Myelin damages are observed in several congenital and hereditary diseases, physicochemical conditions, infections, or traumatic insults, and remyelination is known as an intrinsic response to injuries. Here we discuss some molecular events and conditions involved in de- and remyelination and compare the phenomena of remyelination in CNS and PNS. We have explained applying some of these molecular events in myelin restoration. Finally, the current and upcoming treatment strategies for myelin restoration are explained in three groups of immunotherapy, endogenous regeneration enhancement, and cell therapy to give a better insight for finding the more effective rehabilitation strategies considering the underlying molecular events of a lesion formation and its current condition.

Keywords: Cell therapy; Demyelination; Endogenous regeneration; Immunomodulation; Remyelination.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / pathology
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / metabolism*
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / therapy
  • Demyelinating Diseases / metabolism
  • Demyelinating Diseases / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism
  • Myelin Sheath / physiology
  • Nerve Regeneration / physiology
  • Neuroglia / pathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System / metabolism
  • Peripheral Nervous System / pathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / metabolism*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / therapy
  • Remyelination / physiology*