Oligodendrocytes are cells fundamental for brain functions as they form the myelin sheath and feed axons. They perform these critical functions thanks to the cooperation with other glial cells, mainly astrocytes. The astrocyte/oligodendrocyte crosstalk needs numerous mediators and receptors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). PPAR agonists promote oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) maturation in myelinating oligodendrocytes. In the Alzheimer's disease brain, deposition of beta-amyloid (Aβ) has been linked to several alterations, including astrogliosis and changes in OPCs maturation. However, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms. Here, we investigated for the first time the maturation of OPCs co-cultured with astrocytes in an in vitro model of Aβ1-42 toxicity. We also tested the potential beneficial effect of the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective composite palmitoylethanolamide and luteolin (co-ultra PEALut), which is known to engage the isoform alfa of the PPARs. Our results show that Aβ1-42 triggers astrocyte reactivity and inflammation and reduces the levels of growth factors important for OPCs maturation. Oligodendrocytes indeed show low cell surface area and few arborizations. Co-ultra PEALut counteracts the Aβ1-42-induced inflammation and astrocyte reactivity preserving the morphology of co-cultured oligodendrocytes through a mechanism that in some cases involves PPAR-α. This is the first evidence of the negative effects exerted by Aβ1-42 on astrocyte/oligodendrocyte crosstalk and discloses a never-explored co-ultra PEALut ability in restoring oligodendrocyte homeostasis.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; astrocytes; beta-amyloid; luteolin; neuroinflammation; oligodendrocytes; palmitoylethanolamide; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors.