Morphology of Oligodendroglial Cells.

Abstract

Oligodendrocytes are cells in the central nervous system that are specialised to form myelin sheaths around axons. They are generated from oligodendrocyte precursor cells that persist in the adult brain and are responsible for myelin plasticity that is essential for learning and repair in pathology. Oligodendrocytes exhibit morphological and molecular heterogeneity, and, besides their role in myelination, they provide metabolic and homeostatic support for neurones. In addition, some oligodendrocytes exhibit an immune function as antigen-presenting cells under certain conditions. The myelinating function of oligodendrocytes is essential for nervous system operational integrity, and the loss of myelin leads to neurodegeneration and an irreversible loss of function.