Modulating the production of neurons and/or oligodendrocytes from white matter progenitor cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of modulating production of neurons and/or oligodendrocytes from neural progenitor cells of human white matter and to a method of treating a subject for a condition modulated by underproduction of oligodendrocytes from human white matter. Both of these methods involve administering an agonist or antagonist of one or more molecules set forth in Tables 1 and/or 2 to the neural progenitor cells. Also disclosed is a method of using an inhibitor of sterol synthesis to differentiate oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to oligodendrocytes.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of increasing oligodendrocyte production from glial progenitor cells in a subject, said method comprising:
 selecting a subject requiring increased production of oligodendrocytes and   administering, to the selected subject, an antagonist of receptor tyrosine phosphatase-β/ζ (RPTPZ), under conditions effective to increase, in the selected subject, oligodendrocyte production compared to oligodendrocyte production absent said administering.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the subject is an adult human. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the subject is a fetal human. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the antagonist is selected from the group consisting of bpV(HOpic), bpV(phen), bpV(pic), CDC25 Phosphatase Inhibitor BN82002, DMHV, Dephostatin, 3,4-Dephostatin, Phenylarsine Oxide, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase CD45 Inhibitor, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitor I, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitor II, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitor III, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitor IV, RK-682, Sodium Stibogluconate, and bpV(bipy). 
     
     
         30 . A method of treating a subject for a condition modulated by underproduction, dysfunction, or loss of oligodendrocytes from human white matter, said method comprising:
 selecting a subject with a condition modulated by underproduction, dysfunction, or loss of oligodendrocytes from human white matter and   administering, to the selected subject, an antagonist of receptor tyrosine phosphatase-β/ζ (RPTPZ) under conditions effective to treat the condition modulated by underproduction, dysfunction, or loss of oligodendrocytes.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of the pediatric leukodystrophies, the lysomal storage diseases, congenital dysmyelination, cerebral palsy, inflammatory demyelination, post-infectious and post-vaccinial leukoencephalitis, radiation- or chemotherapy-induced white matter damage, and vascular demyelination. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the receptor tyrosine phosphatase antagonist is selected from the group consisting of bpV(HOpic), bpV(phen), bpV(pic), CDC25 Phosphatase Inhibitor BN82002, DMHV, Dephostatin, 3,4-Dephostatin, Phenylarsine Oxide, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase CD45 Inhibitor, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitor I, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitor II, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitor III, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitor IV, RK-682, Sodium Stibogluconate, and bpV(bipy). 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the subject is an adult human. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the subject is a fetal human.