Identification of novel small molecules for CNS myelin repair

描述（由申请人提供）：轴突的髓鞘化对于脊椎动物中枢神经系统（CNS）的正常功能至关重要，并且是一个多步骤的过程，需要少突胶质细胞前体细胞（OPC）识别目标轴突并分化为髓鞘化细胞。尽管髓鞘形成主要发生在出生后早期，但它可以在成人中枢神经系统中因脱髓鞘损伤而重新启动。然而，这种髓鞘再生过程在多发性硬化症等脱髓鞘疾病中受到限制，部分原因是 OPC 无法分化为成熟的少突胶质细胞。由于髓鞘再生促进轴突存活和功能恢复，如何诱导OPCs分化为髓鞘细胞是实现髓鞘修复和功能恢复的关键一步。目前，尚无旨在促进髓磷脂修复的临床疗法。因此，该提案的目标是鉴定促进 OPC 分化为髓鞘细胞的小分子。我们将利用我们实验室最近建立的新型中枢神经系统髓鞘培养系统来筛选由200,000种药物样化合物组成的化学库。为了实现少突胶质细胞成熟的高通量和直接可视化，我们将使用源自我们新产生的转基因小鼠的培养物，其中膜锚定的增强型绿色荧光蛋白在髓鞘和成熟的少突胶质细胞中选择性表达。然后，通过化学筛选鉴定出的先导化合物将在培养物中测试其促进 OPC 进入髓鞘细胞和脱髓鞘动物模型中的功效。这项拟议的研究有可能导致开发旨在促进髓磷脂再生和功能恢复的新型治疗干预措施。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Myelination of axons is essential for the normal function of the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS), and is a multi-step process that requires oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) to recognize target axons and differentiate into myelinating cells. Although myelination occurs primarily in early postnatal life, it can be re- initiated in adult CNS in response to demyelinating injury. This remyelination process is, however, limited in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis, in part due to the failure of OPCs to differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes. As remyelination promotes axonal survival and functional recovery, how to coax OPCs to differentiate into myelinating cells represents a critical step in achieving myelin repair and functional recovery. Currently, there is no clinic therapy aimed at promoting myelin repair. Thus, the goal of this proposal is to identify small molecules that promote OPCs to differentiate into myelinating cells. We will employ a novel CNS myelinating culture system recently established in our laboratory to screen a chemical library consisting of 200,000-drug-like compounds. To achieve high throughput and direct visualization of oligodendrocyte maturation, we will use cultures derived from our newly generated transgenic mice where membrane-anchored enhanced green fluorescence protein is selectively expressed in myelin sheaths and mature oligodendrocytes. Lead compounds identified by chemical screening will then be tested in culture for their efficacy in promoting OPCs into myelinating cells and in an animal model of demyelination. This proposed study has the potential to lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions aimed at promoting myelin regeneration and functional recovery.