Olig1 and Olig2 promote oligodendrocyte differentiation of neural stem cells in adult mice injured by EAE

Investigating neural stem cell plasticity in the hippocampal niche, we demonstrate that retroviral forced expression of Mash1 (Mammalian Achaete-Scute Homolog 1), Olig1 (Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 1), and Olig2 (Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2) genes, transcription factors involved in enhanced oligodendrogenesis, can contribute to directing the differentiation of adult subventricular zone neural stem cells to functional oligodendrocytes. We found that Mash1, Olig1 and Olig2 all induced oligodendrocyte differentiation. However, Olig1 and Olig2 induction resulted in an elevated number of generated oligodendrocytes without a significant production of other cell lineages, unlike Mash1. These newly differentiated cells are also capable of migration and possible myelination, showing that targeting oligodendrocyte production and possible remyelination is a viable therapeutic strategy for restoration of neuronal function.