INTRACELLULAR BRAIN REGENERATION: A NEW VIEW

Mechanism of neuron regeneration in the cortex was discovered. Heterokaryon, a cell with two distinct nuclei, is formed by the fusion of neuron with oligodendrocyte. We showed that oligodendrocyte nucleus in heterokaryons is exposed to neuron-specific reprogramming. Oligodendrocyte nucleus becomes similar to neuron nucleus and in result of reprogramming is undefined from it according to morphology (size, shape, chromatin structure). Reprogrammed oligodendrocyte nuclei begin to express the neural specific markers NeuN and MAP2. Rate of transcription in the oligodendrocyte nuclei increases as in neurons. After completion of neuron-specific reprogrammin, second nucleus appears in neuron which increases the functional capacity of the cell. We present evidence that this process is the basis of physiological and reparative regeneration of the brain.