Effects of thioredoxin-1 on oligodendrocyte lineage cells altered by the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases characterized by a decrease in dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons and alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) accumulation in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Recently, it has been reported that oligodendrocytes (OLs) are altered in PD as well. Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) is a redox protein and protects DAergic neurons from 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity. However, whether Trx-1 affects OLs’ alteration in PD is unknown. We investigated the effects of Trx-1 on OLs after MPTP treatment. Our results showed that myelin thickness and the number of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), pre-myelinating oligodendrocytes (pre-OLs), and oligodendrocytes (OLs) were increased in the SNpc after MPTP treatment; these changes were regulated by Trx-1. Importantly, α-Syn was increased by MPTP in OLs besides DAergic neurons, which was also regulated by Trx-1. Our results suggest that oligodendrocyte lineage cells are increased in MPTP-induced PD mice; moreover, these alterations are affected by Trx-1.