Metabolic control of sensory neuron survival by the p75 neurotrophin receptor in schwann cells

Rose M. Follis, Chhavy Tep, Thiago C. Genaro-Mattos, Mi Lyang Kim, Jae Cheon Ryu, Vivianne E. Morrison, Jonah R. Chan, Ned Porter, Bruce D. Carter, Sung Ok Yoon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report that the neurotrophin receptor p75 contributes to sensory neuron survival through the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in Schwann cells. Selective deletion of p75 in mouse Schwann cells of either sex resulted in a 30% loss of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and diminished thermal sensitivity. P75 regulates Schwann cell cholesterol biosynthesis in response to BDNF, forming a co-receptor complex with ErbB2 and activating ErbB2-mediated stimulation of sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2), a master regulator of cholesterol synthesis. Schwann cells lacking p75 exhibited decreased activation of SREBP2 and a reduction in 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) reductase (DHCR7) expression, resulting in accumulation of the neurotoxic intermediate, 7-dehyrocholesterol in the sciatic nerve. Restoration of DHCR7 in p75 null Schwann cells in mice significantly attenuated DRG neuron loss. Together, these results reveal a mechanism by which the disruption of lipid metabolism in glial cells negatively influences sensory neuron survival, which has implications for a wide range of peripheral neuropathies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8710-8724
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Neuroscience
Volume41
Issue number42
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 20 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cholesterol
  • Metabolism
  • Neurotoxicity
  • P75
  • Schwann cells
  • Sensory neurons

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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