The isolation and identification of an oligodendrocyte secreted factor which confers protection to motor neurons

It has long been known that one of the functions of the neuronal cells known as oligodendrocytes is to provide the myelin that constitutes the myelin sheath covering the axons of motor neurons. The oligodendrocytes have a native resistance to damage from high levels of nitric oxide (NO) such as those which have been detected in diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) both of which are known as motor neuronal diseases. During co-culture of oligodendrocytes and motor neurons with subsequent high-flux NO assault we found that the oligodendrocytes appeared to perform a second function in relation to motor neurons, they were able to confer protection to the motor neurons and increase their survivability. The protective factor was found to be a secreted factor which was isolated from the spent media of the oligodendrocytes and subsequently identified as the protein lumican.