Calcium Influx through Plasma-Membrane Nanoruptures Drives Axon Degeneration in a Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Maarten E. Witte, Adrian Minh Schumacher, Christoph F. Mahler, Jan P. Bewersdorf, Jonas Lehmitz, Alexander Scheiter, Paula Sánchez, Philip R. Williams, Oliver Griesbeck, Ronald Naumann, Thomas Misgeld, Martin Kerschensteiner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

Axon loss determines persistent disability in multiple sclerosis patients. Here, we use in vivo calcium imaging in a multiple sclerosis model to show that cytoplasmic calcium levels determine the choice between axon loss and survival. We rule out the endoplasmic reticulum, glutamate excitotoxicity, and the reversal of the sodium-calcium exchanger as sources of intra-axonal calcium accumulation and instead identify nanoscale ruptures of the axonal plasma membrane as the critical path of calcium entry. Witte et al. identify cytoplasmic calcium accumulations as a key driver of axon degeneration in a model of multiple sclerosis. Calcium accumulates in the axoplasm because nanoscale ruptures of the axonal plasma membrane provide an entry path for extracellular calcium.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)615-624.e5
JournalNeuron
Volume101
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 20 2019

Keywords

  • axon degeneration
  • calcium imaging
  • experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
  • in vivo microscopy
  • multiple sclerosis
  • plasma membrane

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