Figure 2.

The role of oligodendrocyte lineage cells (OLCs) in MSA pathogenesis. While OPCs may not be able to uptake insoluble α-synuclein, they may play a role in pathogenesis by uptaking and generating toxic soluble α-synuclein. This may in turn result in pathological maturation of oligodendrocytes, with consequent glial cytoplasmic inclusions, or possible direct neuronal spread of α-synuclein. We identified seven key clusters of pathways through IPA [122], which may be disrupted due to OLC dysfunction (highlighted in yellow circles), consequently manifesting in interruption of key physiological processes and, finally, neuronal loss. IPA analysis also identified seven genes that may be possibly targeted using pharmacotherapy. OLG, oligodendrocyte; OPC, oligodendrocyte progenitor cell; Glu, glutamate; BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This figure was created with BioRender.com.