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Bioenergetics of Axon Integrity and Its Regulation by Oligodendrocytes and Schwann Cells

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Abstract

Axons are long slender portions of neurons that transmit electrical impulses to maintain proper physiological functioning. Axons in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) do not exist in isolation but are found to form a complex association with their surrounding glial cells, oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. These cells not only myelinate them for faster nerve impulse conduction but are also known to provide metabolic support. Due to their incredible length, continuous growth, and distance from the cell body (where major energy synthesis takes place), axons are in high energetic demand. The stability and integrity of axons have long been associated with axonal energy levels. The current mini-review is thus focused on how axons accomplish their high energetic requirement in a cell-autonomous manner and how the surrounding glial cells help them in maintaining their integrity by fulfilling their energy demands (non-cell autonomous trophic support). The concept that adjacent glial cells (oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells) provide trophic support to axons and assist them in maintaining their integrity comes from the conditional knockout research and the studies in which the metabolic pathways controlling metabolism in these glial cells are modulated and its effect on axonal integrity is evaluated. In the later part of the mini-review, the current knowledge of axon-glial metabolic coupling during various neurodegenerative conditions was discussed, along with the potential lacunae in our current understanding of axon-glial metabolic coupling.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Dr. Bogdan Beirowski, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, USA, for providing his valuable guidance and suggestions while preparation of this manuscript.

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  1. Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA

    Sandeep K. Mishra

  2. Faculty of Pharmacy, Kalinga University, Raipur, (C.G.), 492101, India

    Sandeep K. Mishra & Sandip Prasad Tiwari

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Sandeep K. Mishra came up with the idea and is involved in the majority of manuscript writing. Sandip Prasad Tiwari contributed in writing few topics and addition of figures to the manuscript.

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Mishra, S.K., Tiwari, S.P. Bioenergetics of Axon Integrity and Its Regulation by Oligodendrocytes and Schwann Cells. Mol Neurobiol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-024-03950-x

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