Kelise Reddish

My research is focused on the process of myelination in the central nervous system, which is crucial for the efficient transmission of electrical signals. Specifically, I am investigating the impact of oligodendrocyte (OL) cell dysfunction in neurodegenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition where the protective myelin sheath deteriorates, leading to impaired neural communication. The formation of a glial scar around the deteriorated site, rich in chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), presents a significant challenge to OL cells attempting to repair the myelin sheath. My work explores the role of specific chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan (CS-GAG) disaccharide chains in this process. Through cellular and animal models, preliminary studies have identified that CS-E, a particular sulfation pattern of CS-GAG, hinders OL maturation and myelination. In vivo, using a genetic conditional knockout model in mice lacking the carbohydrate sulfotransferase 11 (Chst11) enzyme, it has been demonstrated that the absence of CS-A and CS-E enhances myelination following induced demyelination. These findings highlight the potential of targeting CS-E as a therapeutic approach for demyelinating diseases. In this study, I will examine the effects of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans on the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) with in vitro experiments using primary cortical cells from Sprague-Dawley rat pups cultured in the presence of chondroitin sulfates. I will also use in vivo demyelination studies using mouse strains that cannot produce CS-A and CS-E to provide a detailed understanding of the role of chondroitin sulfate in remyelination.