HDAC3 Regulates the Transition to the Homeostatic Myelinating Schwann Cell State

Summary The formation of myelinating Schwann cells (mSCs) involves the remarkable biogenic process, which rapidly generates the myelin sheath. Once formed, the mSC transitions to a stable homeostatic state, with loss of this stability associated with neuropathies. The histone deacetylases histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and HDAC2 are required for the myelination transcriptional program. Here, we show a distinct role for HDAC3, in that, while dispensable for the formation of mSCs, it is essential for the stability of the myelin sheath once formed—with loss resulting in progressive severe neuropathy in adulthood. This is associated with the prior failure to downregulate the biogenic program upon entering the homeostatic state leading to hypertrophy and hypermyelination of the mSCs, progressing to the development of severe myelination defects. Our results highlight distinct roles of HDAC1/2 and HDAC3 in controlling the differentiation and homeostatic states of a cell with broad implications for the understanding of this important cell-state transition.
Graphical Abstract
Highlights • HDAC3 is a positive regulator of myelin gene expression • Loss of HDAC3 expression in Schwann cells results in severe neuropathies • Myelination proceeds normally without HDAC3 but “overshoots” in adult mice • HDAC3 is required for myelinating Schwann cells to enter the homeostatic state
The entry of differentiating cells into a homeostatic state is poorly understood. Here, Rosenberg et al. show that a switch between HDAC1/2 and HDAC3 is responsible for the entry of myelinating Schwann cells into homeostasis with HDAC3−/− Schwann cells myelinating normally but “overshooting,” resulting in severe neuropathies in adult mice.