REGULATION OF OLIGODENDROCYTE DEVELOPMENT AND CNS MYELINATION BY GROWTH-FACTORS - PROSPECTS FOR THERAPY OF DEMYELINATING DISEASE

Multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common neurological disorder diagnos ed in young adults, is characterized by autoimmune demyelination in th e central nervous system (CNS). promotion of remyelination in the brai n and spinal cord is a potential strategy for therapeutic intervention in MS and other demyelinating diseases. Recent studies have shown tha t the development of oligodendrocytes, the myelin-forming cells of the CNS, is extensively controlled by growth factors. These factors regul ate the proliferation, migration, differentiation, survival and regene ration of oligodendroglial cells and the synthesis of myelin, and ofte n interact in a complex manner. Moreover, insulinlike growth factor I (IGF-I) has proven effective for therapy of experimental autoimmune en cephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of autoimmune demyelination. In this review we summarize recent findings on the regulation of oligode ndrocyte development and CNS myelination by growth factors, and discus s these findings in the context of possible clinical application for t he therapy of neurological disease in humans.