Cited by 1,664Multiple Sclerosis Research StudiesAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ResearchNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

Oligodendroglia metabolically support axons and contribute to neurodegeneration

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Lee, Youngjin, Morrison, Brett M., Li, Yun, Lengacher, Sylvain, Farah, Mohamed H., Hoffman, Paul N., Liu, Yiting, Tsingalia, Akivaga +5 more·2012·Nature

Abstract

Oligodendroglia support axon survival and function through mechanisms independent of myelination, and their dysfunction leads to axon degeneration in several diseases. The cause of this degeneration has not been determined, but lack of energy metabolites such as glucose or lactate has been proposed. Lactate is transported exclusively by monocarboxylate transporters, and changes to these transporters alter lactate production and use. Here we show that the most abundant lactate transporter in the central nervous system, monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1, also known as SLC16A1), is highly enriched within oligodendroglia and that disruption of this transporter produces axon damage and neuron loss in animal and cell culture models. In addition, this same transporter is reduced in patients with, and in mouse models of, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, suggesting a role for oligodendroglial MCT1 in pathogenesis. The role of oligodendroglia in axon function and neuron survival has been elusive; this study defines a new fundamental mechanism by which oligodendroglia support neurons and axons.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nature11314

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  • Remyelination is a regenerative process of the adult CNS that restores saltatory impulse conduction and trophic support to axons.

    “Remyelination is a crucial regenerative process in demyelinating diseases, limiting persisting damage to the CNS. It restores saltatory nerve conduction and ensures trophic support of axons.”

    From BCAS1-positive oligodendrocytes enable efficient cortical remyelination in multiple sclerosis (2025) · cites this paper as [4]

    The Introduction (page not provided) says myelin promotes rapid conduction and describes oligodendroglial energy support for axons; the Discussion identifies MCT1-mediated metabolite transport as important to axon function. The paper does not establish that remyelination restores these functions or limits persistent CNS damage in demyelinating diseases. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The model is in agreement with axonal degeneration observed in mice lacking the monocarboxylate transporter MCT1 in oligodendrocyte lineage cells.

    “It is finally in agreement with axonal degeneration observed in mice lacking the monocarboxylate transporter MCT1 in oligodendrocytes lineage cells (Lee et al., 2012;Philips et al., 2021).”

    From Downregulated expression of lactate dehydrogenase in adult oligodendrocytes and its implication for the transfer of glycolysis products to axons (2024) · cites this paper as Lee et al., 2012

    The ‘Oligodendrocyte-specific MCT1 loss causes axonopathy’ section reports axonal degeneration in PLP-Cre mice after oligodendrocyte-specific MCT1 knockdown. It does not report mice completely lacking MCT1 specifically in oligodendrocyte-lineage cells; its other mouse model is a systemic heterozygote with partially reduced MCT1. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Glycolytic oligodendrocytes provide direct metabolic support to axons via non-compacted cytoplasmic channels in myelin and monocarboxylate transporters, which preserves functional integrity and axon survival.

    “This led to a working model of glycolytic oligodendrocytes providing direct metabolic support to axons via non-compacted cytoplasmic channels in myelin and monocarboxylate transporters, which preserves functional integrity and axon survival (Amaral et al., 2013;Fünfschilling et al., 2012;Lee et al., 2012).”

    From Downregulated expression of lactate dehydrogenase in adult oligodendrocytes and its implication for the transfer of glycolysis products to axons (2024) · cites this paper as Lee et al., 2012

    The Discussion (page unavailable) says oligodendroglia supply axons with lactate through MCT1 and that this support is critical for axon function and neuron survival. It does not describe transport through non-compacted cytoplasmic channels in myelin or establish the specific characterization of the supporting oligodendrocytes as glycolytic. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Oligodendrocytes support axonal energy metabolism and neuronal health.

    “As oligodendrocytes support axonal energy metabolism and neuronal health4–7, we hypothesized that loss of myelin integrity could be an upstream risk factor for neuronal amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, the central neuropathological hallmark of AD.”
  • Pyruvate and lactate can shuttle between glial cells and axons via monocarboxylate transporters.

    “Pyruvate and lactate can shuttle between glial cells and axons via monocarboxylate transporters.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [39]Rinholm JE Regulation of oligodendrocyte development and myelination by glucose and lactate J Neurosci 31 538 548 2011 21228163 PMC3044866

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Authors
Lee, Y., Morrison, B. M., Li, Y., Lengacher, S., Farah, M. H., Hoffman, P. N., Liu, Y., Tsingalia, A., Jin, L., Zhang, P.-W., Pellerin, L., Magistretti, P. J., & Rothstein, J. D.
Affiliations
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
  • École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH)
  • University of Lausanne (CH)
Corresponding author
Rothstein, Jeffrey D.
Venue
Nature
Published
2012-07
Volume
487
Issue
7408
Pages
443-448
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W2038811384
Cited by
1,664
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 110 · 2025: 107 · 2024: 130 · 2023: 118 · 2022: 133 · 2021: 150 · 2020: 141 · 2019: 107 · 2018: 110 · 2017: 133 · 2016: 107 · 2015: 106 · 2014: 98 · 2013: 97 · 2012: 13
FWCI
72.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • SERVAL (Université de Lausanne) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • IRIS (submittedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • Infoscience (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) (submittedVersion)
  • Infoscience (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation
  • Muscular Dystrophy Association
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (31003A, 108336, 125063)
  • Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Aging (P50AG005146, P50AG05146)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (P01NS016375, NS 33958, P01 NS16375, R01NS033958)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
Keywords
oligodendroglia, MCT1, lactate transport, axonal degeneration, neurodegeneration, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, oligodendrocytes, neuronal loss, lactate export
MeSH terms
Superoxide Dismutase-1, Monocarboxylate Transport Protein 1, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Animals, Axons, Cell Line, Cell Survival, Disease Models, Animal, Heterozygote, Humans, Mice, Transgenic, Motor Neurons, Myelin Sheath, Nerve Degeneration, Oligodendroglia, Superoxide Dismutase, Down-Regulation, Lactic Acid, Protein Transport, Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters, Symporters, RNA, Small Interfering, Mice

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