Title : Oligodendrocyte precursor cell-neuron interactions in the regulation of neuronal activity

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are best known for generating oligodendrocytes and supporting myelination in the central nervous system. However, OPCs also interact with neuronal structures and respond to neuronal activity. Whether this interaction is bidirectional and whether OPCs directly influence neuronal activity remains unclear. To examine OPC-neuronal interactions during increased neuronal activity, we investigated the spatial and functional relationships between OPCs and neuronal somata in the hippocampus and cortex of juvenile and adult mice.

Using immunolabeling and imaging techniques, we found that OPC processes closely approached neuronal somata, dendrites, and axon initial segments. In the juvenile hippocampus, OPC processes preferentially contacted neurons expressing c-Fos, a marker of neuronal activity. In the adult hippocampus, this association was also observed following chemogenetic activation of pyramidal neurons. Notably, neurons contacted by OPC processes exhibited significantly lower c-Fos fluorescence intensity than neurons without apparent OPC contact, indicating an association between OPC contact and reduced neuronal activity.

These findings identify OPCs as potential regulators of neuronal activity beyond their established role in oligodendrocyte generation and myelination. Although the mechanisms underlying this modulation remain unresolved, our results suggest that OPC-neuron contacts may play an important role in regulating neuronal networks and provide a foundation for investigating their potential relevance to neurological disorders characterized by altered neuronal activity.

Keywords: Oligodendrocyte precursor cell; neuronal activity; hippocampus; epilepsy.

Yetunde Akinlaja is a biomedical researcher focused on glial-neuronal interactions in Epilepsy. She holds a master’s degree in Physiology and Neurobiology from the University of Connecticut and serves as a peer reviewer for scientific publications. She also has professional experience in precision medicine, with a focus on personalized cancer treatment. Her current research interests focus on understanding the mechanisms underlying glial-neuronal interactions in epilepsy and exploring how these interactions may inform the development of future therapeutic targets.