Ultrastructural axon-myelin unit alterations in MS correlate with inflammation

Aletta M R van den Bosch, Sophie Hümmert, Anna Steyer, Torben Ruhwedel, Jörg Hamann, Joost Smolders, Klaus-Armin Nave, Christine Stadelmann, Maarten H P Kole, Wiebke Möbius, Inge Huitinga

Onderzoeksoutput: Bijdrage aan wetenschappelijk tijdschrift/periodieke uitgaveArtikelWetenschappelijkpeer review

15 Citaten (Scopus)
62 Downloads (Pure)

Samenvatting

OBJECTIVE: Changes in the normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in multiple sclerosis (MS) may contribute to disease progression. Here, we systematically quantified ultrastructural and subcellular characteristics of the axon-myelin unit in MS NAWM and determined how this correlates with low grade inflammation.

METHODS: Human brain tissue obtained with short post-mortem delay and fixation at autopsy enables systematic quantification of ultrastructural characteristics. In this study, we performed high-resolution immunohistochemistry and quantitative transmission electron microscopy to study inflammation and ultrastructural characteristics of the axon-myelin unit in MS NAWM (n=8) and control white matter (WM) in the optic nerve.

RESULTS: In the MS NAWM, there were more activated and phagocytic microglia cells (HLA+ P2RY12- and Iba1+ CD68+ ) and more T cells (CD3+ ) compared to control WM, mainly located in the perivascular space. In MS NAWM compared to control WM there were, as expected, longer paranodes and juxtaparanodes and larger overlap between paranodes and juxtaparanodes. There was less compact myelin wrapping, a lower g-ratio, and a higher frequency of axonal mitochondria. Changes in myelin and axonal mitochondrial frequency correlated positively with the number of active and phagocytic microglia and lymphocytes in the optic nerve.

INTERPRETATION: These data suggest that in MS NAWM myelin detachment and uncompact myelin wrapping occurs, potassium channels are unmasked at the nodes of Ranvier, and axonal energy demand is increased, or mitochondrial transport is stagnated, accompanied by increased presence of activated and phagocytic microglia and T cells. These sub-clinical alterations to the axon-myelin unit in MS NAWM may be contributing to disease progression. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Originele taal-2Engels
Pagina's (van-tot)856-870
TijdschriftAnnals of Neurology
Volume93
DOI's
StatusGepubliceerd - jan. 2023

Vingerafdruk

Duik in de onderzoeksthema's van 'Ultrastructural axon-myelin unit alterations in MS correlate with inflammation'. Samen vormen ze een unieke vingerafdruk.

Citeer dit