Neuron–oligodendrocyte interaction in neuroinflammation

Axons are the most vulnerable component of the nervous system because of their specialized structure. However, less attention has been focused on axons compared with the neuronal cell body in the study of various neurological diseases involving the central nervous system. In multiple sclerosis, although the principal targets of autoimmunity are myelin and oligodendrocytes, progressive axonopathy becomes apparent during the chronic phase of the disease, which correlates with the progression of clinical disability. This fact prompted us to reexamine the mutual relationship between axons and oligodendrocytes. In the past decade, our knowledge of this relationship has been rapidly expanded, and we now realize that the oligodendrocyte is not just a partner for saltatory conduction. The present review summarizes our current basic knowledge of the mutual relationship between axons and oligodendrocytes with relevance to MS research.