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Oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) migration is a mechanism involved in remyelination, these cells migrate from niches in the adult CNS. However, age and disease reduce the pool of OPCs, as a result, the remyelination capacity of the CNS decreases over time. Several experimental studies have introduced OPCs to the brain via direct injection or intrathecal administration. In this study, we used the nose-to brain pathway to deliver oligodendrocyte lineage cells (human oligodendroglioma (HOG) cells), which behave similarly to OPCs in vitro. To this end, we administered GFP-labelled HOG cells intranasally to experimental animals, which were subsequently euthanised at 30 or 60 days. Our results show that the intranasal route is a viable route to the CNS and that HOG cells administered intranasally migrate preferentially to niches of OPCs (clusters created during embryonic development and adult life). Our study provides evidence, albeit limited, that HOG cells either form clusters or adhere to clusters of OPCs in the brains of experimental animals.

Resumen Introduccion La esclerosis lateral amiotrofica (ELA) es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa, progresiva y de etiologia desconocida caracterizada por la degeneracion de motoneuronas superiores e inferiores. Aproximadamente el 90% de los casos de ELA son esporadicos, mientras que el 10% restante se consideran familiares. Independientemente de si son familiares o esporadicas, los pacientes desarrollan una debilidad progresiva, atrofia muscular con espasticidad y contracturas. Por lo general, la esperanza de vida en los pacientes de ELA es de 2 a 5 anos. Desarrollo Los modelos in vivo han ayudado a explicar la etiologia y la patogenesis, asi como los mecanismos de la ELA. Sin embargo, estos mecanismos no estan del todo esclarecidos aun, por lo que los modelos experimentales son fundamentales para continuar con el estudio de los mismos, asi como para la busqueda de posibles dianas terapeuticas. A pesar de que el 90% de los casos son esporadicos, la mayoria de los modelos utilizados hasta la actualidad para estudiar la patogenesis estan basados en las mutaciones geneticas asociadas a la enfermedad familiar, lo que provoca que la patogenesis de la ELA esporadica no sea aun conocida. Por tanto, seria fundamental el estudio de la enfermedad en modelos basados en la enfermedad esporadica. Conclusion En el presente articulo se han revisado los principales modelos experimentales, tanto geneticos como esporadicos, utilizados en el estudio de esta enfermedad, enfocandonos en los que se han desarrollado utilizando el roedor como plataforma experimental.

Introduction: AQP4 (aquaporin-4)–immunoglobulin G (IgG)-mediated neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system, particularly the spinal cord and optic nerve, remyelination capacity in neuromyelitis optica is yet to be determined, as is the role of AQP4–IgG in cell differentiation. Material and Methods: We included three groups—a group of patients with AQP4–IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica, a healthy group, and a sham group. We analyzed differentiation capacity in cultures of neurospheres from the subventricular zone of mice by adding serum at two different times: early and advanced stages of differentiation. We also analyzed differentiation into different cell lines. Results and Conclusions: The effect of sera from patients with NMOSD on precursor cells differs according to the degree of differentiation, and probably affects oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from NG2 cells to a lesser extent than cells from the subventricular zone, however, the resulting oligodendrocytes may be compromised in terms of maturation and possibly limited in their ability to generate myelin. Furthermore, these cells decrease in number with age. It is very unlikely that the use of drugs favoring the migration and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in multiple sclerosis would be effective in the context of neuromyelitis optica, but cell therapy with oligodendrocyte progenitor cells seems to be a potential alternative.

Introduction. The response to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus epidemic requires increased research efforts to expand our knowledge of the disease. Such questions as infection rates and mechanisms, the possibility of reinfection, and potential therapeutic approaches require us not only to use the experimental models previously employed for the SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV coronaviruses, but also to generate new models to respond to urgent questions. Development. We reviewed the different experimental models used in the study of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in COVID-19, both in different cell lines that have enabled identification of the virus’ action mechanisms, and in animal models (mice, rats, hamsters, ferrets, and primates) inoculated with the virus. Specifically, we reviewed models used to assess the presence and effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the CNS, including neural cell lines, animal models such as mouse hepatitis virus CoV (especially the 59 strain), and the use of brain organoids. Conclusion. Given the clear need to increase our understanding of SARS-CoV-2, as well as its potential effects on the CNS, we must endeavor to obtain new information with cellular or animal models, with an appropriate resemblance between models and human patients.