Platelets regulate neural and oligodendroglial progenitors when infiltrating the brain parenchyma
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The mammalian, including the human, postnatal brain harbors distinct neurogenic and oligodendrogenic progenitor populations, whose activity during homeostasis and degeneration is closely related to blood vessels. Here, we investigated the regulatory role of platelets, that are easily and unlimitedly accessible and can modulate tissue regeneration. In co-cultures, platelets created a pro-stemness environment for neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) and enhanced the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. The effects were dependent on platelet numbers and the culture microenvironment, while the molecular signature of the NSPC response confirmed the role of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and the upregulation of stemness-promoting genes. The same effects were exerted in vivo, but only when platelets were injected directly into the striatal parenchyma or were extravasated, in severely thrombocytopenic mice. In contrast, thrombocytopenia without platelet tissue-infiltration, in Nbeal2 knockout mice, did not affect the brain's progenitors. Our results, demonstrate the potential value of platelets in neuro-regenerative strategies.
Source: Communications Biology
Authors: Christina Dimitriou, Maria Anesti, Stefanos Kaplanis, Theodora Mourtzi, Aggeliki Dimopoulou, Dimitrios Dimitrakopoulos, Filippos Katsaitis, Maria Nousia, Konstantina Mastori, Kyriaki Karassavidou, Efthimia Aleiferi, Dimitrios Lagogiannis, Esra Tahir, Amber R. Philp, Adamantia Kouvela, Constantinos Stathopoulos, Domna Karagogeos, Robin J. M. Franklin, Cedric Ghevaert, Francisco J. Rivera, Ilias Kazanis
Institutions: University of Patras, King's College London, MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, National Centre of Scientific Research "Demokritos", Institute of Biosciences & Applications, University of Crete, FORTH Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, University of Westminster, Austral University of Chile, Wellcome/MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Altos Labs, University of Helsinki
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,190
OpenAlex ID: W4416593152