Myelinating Cocultures of Purified Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells and Retinal Ganglion Cells

Abstract

In this article, we introduce methods for generating rapidly myelinating cocultures with reaggregates of purified retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve oligodendrocyte precursor cells. This coculture system facilitates the study of complex central nervous system neuronal–glial interactions and myelination. It enables control of the extracellular environment and allows the use of transfected, virally infected, mutant, or knockout neurons and/or glial cell types. It is therefore possible to assess the role of various signaling pathways and genes in myelination and node of Ranvier formation.