Altered myelination in the Niemann-Pick type C1 mutant mouse

Histol Histopathol. 2018 Dec;33(12):1311-1321. doi: 10.14670/HH-18-017. Epub 2018 Jun 29.

Abstract

Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1) disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutation of Npc1 or Npc2 gene, resulting in various progressive pathological features. Myelin defection is a major pathological problem in Npc1 mutant mice; however, impairment of myelin proteins in the developing brain is still incompletely understood. In this study, we showed that the expression of myelin genes and proteins is strongly inhibited from postnatal day 35 onwards including reduced myelin basic protein (MBP) expression in the brain. Furthermore, myelination characterized by MBP immunohistochemistry was strongly perturbed in the forebrain, moderately in the midbrain and cerebellum, and slightly in the hindbrain. Our results demonstrate that mutation of the Npc1 gene is sufficient to cause severe and progressive defects in myelination in the mouse brain.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Myelin Sheath / genetics
  • Myelin Sheath / pathology*
  • Niemann-Pick C1 Protein
  • Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C / pathology*
  • Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Niemann-Pick C1 Protein
  • Npc1 protein, mouse
  • Proteins