Astrocytes promote oligodendrocyte precursor cell proliferation via Cx47-mediated regulation of exosome-derived CHI3L1 secretion.
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Neurodegenerative diseases are closely associated with myelin loss, and the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are crucial to remyelination. However, the regulatory mechanisms involved remain incompletely understood. This study aims to investigate how astrocytes (ASTs) regulate the secretion of chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) via connexin 47 (Cx47)-mediated exosome signaling, and its subsequent effect on OPC proliferation. METHODS: knockdown, artificial exosomes were added back, and OPC proliferation was assessed via flow cytometry and EdU assay. RESULTS: silencing on OPC proliferation was partially reversed by supplementation with either isolated exosomes or exogenous CHI3L1. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a novel mechanism by which ASTs regulate OPC proliferation: Through direct contact, ASTs enhance the secretion of CHI3L1-rich exosomes via Cx47, thereby converting intercellular contact signals into secretory signals that promote OPC proliferation. As a key exosomal molecule, CHI3L1 may play an important role in neural function and remyelination and warrants further investigation.
Source: PubMed
Authors: Xiaoyan Zhang, Nannan Cheng, Yan Peng
Institution: Chongqing Medical University
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4413100217