Regulation of Oligodendrocyte Differentiation and Myelination by Nuclear Receptors: Role in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Abstract

During development and through adulthood, differentiation of diverse cell types is controlled by specific genetic and molecular programs for which transcription factors are master regulators of gene expression. Here, we present an overview of the role of nuclear receptors and their selective pharmacological modulators in oligodendrocytes linage, their role in myelination and remyelination and their potential use as a therapeutic strategy for demyelinating diseases. We discuss several aspects of nuclear receptors including: (1) the biochemistry of nuclear receptors superfamily; (2) their role on stem cells physiology, focusing in differentiation and cell removal; (3) the role of nuclear receptor in the oligodendrocytes cell linage, from oligodendrocyte progenitors cells to mature myelinating cells; and (4) the therapeutics opportunities of nuclear receptors for specific demyelinating diseases.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Demyelinating diseases; Nuclear receptors; Oligodendrocytes.