Ensheathment and myelination of regenerating PNS fibres by transplanted optic nerve glia

Abstract

Interactions between PNS axons and CNS glia were studied morphologically by transplanting optic nerves into peripheral nerves in groups of rats and mice. Four to 11 months after grafting, small numbers of axons from the peripheral nerves had penetrated the CNS grafts where they became ensheathed and myelinated by CNS glia. Glial protuberances observed at the CNS-PNS interfaces suggested that there had been an active glial response to innervation by PNS axons. These findings provide experimental evidence that denervated CNS glia can be reinnervated and form myelin.