Open AccessGenetically modified macrophages accelerate myelin repair
Author(s) -
Aigrot MarieStéphane,
Barthelemy Clara,
Moyon Sarah,
DufayetChaffaud Gaelle,
IzagirreUrizar Leire,
GilletLegrand Beatrix,
Tada Satoru,
BayónCordero Laura,
Chara JuanCarlos,
Matute Carlos,
Cartier Nathalie,
Lubetzki Catherine,
Tepavčević Vanja
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
embo molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.923
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1757-4684
pISSN - 1757-4676
DOI - 10.15252/emmm.202114759
Subject(s) - myelin , microbiology and biotechnology , macrophage , genetically modified organism , computational biology , biology , chemistry , genetics , neuroscience , gene , central nervous system , in vitro
Preventing neurodegeneration‐associated disability progression in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) remains an unmet therapeutic need. As remyelination prevents axonal degeneration, promoting this process in patients might enhance neuroprotection. In demyelinating mouse lesions, local overexpression of semaphorin 3F (Sema3F), an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) attractant, increases remyelination. However, molecular targeting to MS lesions is a challenge. A clinically relevant paradigm for delivering Sema3F to demyelinating lesions could be to use blood‐derived macrophages as vehicles. Thus, we chose transplantation of genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) as means of obtaining chimeric mice with circulating Sema3F‐overexpressing monocytes. We demonstrated that Sema3F‐transduced HSCs stimulate OPC migration in a neuropilin 2 (Nrp2, Sema3F receptor)‐dependent fashion, which was conserved in middle‐aged OPCs. While demyelinating lesions induced in mice with Sema3F‐expressing blood cells showed no changes in inflammation and OPC survival, OPC recruitment was enhanced which accelerated the onset of remyelination. Our results provide a proof of concept that blood cells, particularly monocytes/macrophages, can be used to deliver pro‐remyelinating agents “at the right time and place,” suggesting novel means for remyelination‐promoting strategies in MS.