Yong, V. WeeLarsen, Peter Hjorringgaard2005-08-162005-08-162004Larsen, P. H. (2004). Matrix metalloproteinases - clearning the way for myeline formation (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/156410612978664http://hdl.handle.net/1880/41704Bibliography: p. 121-166Some pages are in colour.Myelin allows for the rapid conduction of electrical impulses along axons. The breakdown of myelin can have debilitating consequences reflected in diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), in which severe demyelination leads to numerous neurological impairments. Strategies to enhance the remyelinating capacity of the myelinating cells, the oligodendrocytes (OLs), are being investigated with the hope of bringing to a halt the demyelinating process. Myelin formation begins with the extension of OL processes to contact axons. Proteolytic activity has been suggested to play a role for OL process extension and this event was suggested to be mediated in part by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and in particular MMP-9. In an attempt to extend these findings, it was hypothesized that MMP-9 activity might also be important in remyelination where the myelinating program is re­initiated after injury. An impaired ability to remyelinate was observed in mice deficient for MMP-9. However, the mechanisms of action did not directly involve process extension but rather a need for MMP-9 to remove proteoglycans that are inhibitory for OL maturation. To elucidate whether other MMP members could also have important functions in OL biology studies on OLs and OL progenitor cells were performed. Purified OL showed high expression of MMP-12 and subsequent experiments revealed that MMP-12 played a role in OL process extension and OL maturation in culture. Finally, it was hypothesized that a deficiency of both MMP-9 and -12 would affect the coordinated developmental myelination and OL biology in vivo. Indeed, these studies showed a transient delay in overall developmental myelination, which was correlated to an excess production of insulin growth factor binding protein-6 (IGFBP-6). This molecule can, by reducing the bioavailability of insulin-like growth factor, act as a negative factor for myelination. Altogether, these data suggest that MMPs are important in controlling the levels of IGFBPs in the environment and thereby regulate the levels of insulin-like growth factor and myelination. Overall, this thesis has uncovered a beneficial mechanism of MMP-9 actions following a demyelinating insult in mice. Furthermore, MMP-12 was implicated in OL biology both in process extension and maturation of these cells. Finally, these proteolytic molecules were found important in the normal timing of initial developmental myelination probably through regulating levels of IGFBPs.xiv, 167 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.doctoral thesis10.11575/PRISM/15641AC1 .T484 2004 L37