In Vivo regulation of Oligodendrocyte processor cell proliferation and differentiation by the AMPA-receptor Subunit GluA2

The functional role of AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated synaptic signaling between neurons and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) remains enigmatic. We modified the properties of AMPARs at axon-OPC synapses in the mouse corpus callosum in vivo during the peak of myelination by targeting the GluA2 subunit. Expression of the unedited (Ca2+ permeable) or the pore-dead GluA2 subunit of AMPARs triggered proliferation of OPCs and reduced their differentiation into oligodendrocytes. Expression of the cytoplasmic C-terminal (GluA2(813-862)) of the GluA2 subunit (C-tail), a modification designed to affect the interaction between GluA2 and AMPAR-binding proteins and to perturb trafficking of GluA2-containing AMPARs, decreased the differentiation of OPCs without affecting their proliferation. These findings suggest that ionotropic and non-ionotropic properties of AMPARs in OPCs, as well as specific aspects of AMPAR-mediated signaling at axon-OPC synapses in the mouse corpus callosum, are important for balancing the response of OPCs to proliferation and differentiation cues. In the brain, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) receive glutamatergic AMPA-receptor-mediated synaptic input from neurons. Chen et al. show that modifying AMPA-receptor properties at axon-OPC synapses alters proliferation and differentiation of OPCs. This expands the traditional view of synaptic transmission by suggesting neurons also use synapses to modulate behavior of glia.