Transcription factor 7 like 2 (TCF7L2, also termed TCF4), is a Wnt effector induced transiently in the oligodendroglial lineage. The current well accepted hypothesis is that TCF7L2 inhibits oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination through canonical Wnt/β‑catenin signaling. However, recent studies indicated that TCF7L2 activity is required during oligodendrocyte differentiation and remy...

MS results from destruction of the protective myelin sheath surrounding axons, which prevents the transmission of nerve impulses. Precursors of oligodendrocytes, the cells capable of myelinating axons, are preserved in demyelinating lesions; however, why these precursors do not differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes and remyelinate axons is unknown. Contactin is a noncanonical Notch recepto...

Most mammalian somatic cells are thought to have a limited proliferative capacity because they permanently stop dividing after a finite number of divisions in culture, a state termed replicative cell senescence. Here we show that most oligodendrocyte precursor cells purified from postnatal rat optic nerve can proliferate indefinitely in serum-free culture if prevented from differentiating; vari...

Myelin abnormalities are increasingly being recognized as an important component of a number of neurologic developmental disorders. The integration of many signaling pathways and cell types are critical for correct myelinogenesis. The PI3-K and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways have been found to play key roles. mTOR is found within two distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. mTORC...