microRNAs in Oligodendrocyte Myelination and Repair in the Central Nervous System

Abstract The crucial role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in glial cell development, especially in development of myelinating cells in the central nervous system, has begun to be elucidated in recent years through functional analysis of the miRNA processing enzyme Dicer1 and identification of miRNAs expressed in myelinating cells. In this chapter, we discuss how miRNAs regulate oligodendrocyte development and myelination. We highlight the recent advances in our understanding of how miRNAs control oligodendrogenesis, proliferation, differentiation, myelinogenesis, myelin maintenance, and repair. We also discuss how miRNAs influence brain cancer formation and progression of debilitating neurological diseases. Finally, we summarize perspectives in utilizing miRNAs as diagnostic markers and therapeutics in demyelinating diseases.