Histopathological and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells-associated gene expression changes in the subventricular zone of a mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) stands out as the predominant demyelinating illness impacting various regions of the central nervous system (CNS). As MS advanced, the subventricular zone (SVZ), one of the main neural stem cell niches that produce neurons and glial cells throughout life, progressively becomes empty. To effectively use endogenous repair potential-based treatment techniques, it would be essential to have an understanding of the neuropathological features of SVZ. The current study aimed to explore the SVZ in terms of histopathological and molecular changes in the cuprizone animal model of MS. 

Adult male C57BL/6 mice were divided into two categories including control and cuprizone groups. Control animals received a regular diet and the cuprizone group received a diet containing 0.2% cuprizone for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, the histopathology of the SVZ and the relative gene expression of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in this area were evaluated.

 Histopathological assessment demonstrated an obvious prominent existence of cell population in the SVZ following 12 weeks of cuprizone intoxication. Furthermore, the relative gene expression data revealed a statistically significant increase in the expression of the Pdgf and Cspg4 genes in the SVZ in the cuprizone group compared to the control group (p˂0.001).

The prominent presence of cells as well as the increase of relative gene expression in the SVZ following the cuprizone diet might be attributed to the production of new progenitor cells for oligodendrocytes, which could potentially refill the SVZ area.