The Many Lives of an Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cell

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are glia that give rise to myelinating oligodendrocytes in the developing and adult brain. However, emerging data suggest that OPCs perform a wide range of functions beyond oligodendrogenesis. For example, OPCs receive direct synaptic input from neurons, and they respond to neural activity through the release of factors that alter neuronal function. Moreover, OPCs directly associate with the neurovasculature to promote blood-brain barrier maintenance and integrity. Emerging data suggest that OPCs can refine synaptic connectivity during brain development, a process to which they contribute by phagocytosing synapses. Finally, OPCs are also involved in brain immunity, as they can adopt immune cell–like functions during demyelinating and neurodegenerative diseases. Altogether, these findings have identified OPCs as the major multitaskers of the brain. In this review, we discuss the roles of OPCs that extend beyond oligodendrocyte production and their relevance for neurological function.