Sleep loss induces cholesterol-associated myelin dysfunction
The increasing prevalence of sleep deprivation poses a public health challenge in modern society. Manifestations of reduced alertness, such as slowed reaction times and increased errors, are well-documented behavioral indicators of sleep loss (SL). Yet, the biological consequences of sleep deprivation and their role in behavioral impairment remain elusive.
Our study reveals significant effects of sleep deprivation on myelin integrity. As a result, we identify increased conduction delays in nerve signal propagation, hindered interhemispheric synchronization, and impaired cognitive and motor performance associated with SL. By profiling oligodendrocyte transcriptome and lipidome, we observe SL-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and lipid metabolism dysregulation, particularly affecting cholesterol homeostasis. Boosting cholesterol transport to myelin sheaths prevents SL effects on nerve signal propagation and behavior.
Our findings highlight a possible role of oligodendrocyte cholesterol dysregulation in behavioral deficits associated with SL and unveil a novel target for intervention.
SIGNIFICANCE
Although the behavioral consequences of sleep loss (SL) are well known, the underlying biology has remained elusive. This study identifies oligodendrocytes as key mediators by linking sleep deprivation to impaired myelin integrity, slowed nerve conduction, and behavioral deficits. Importantly, cholesterol imbalance in oligodendrocytes emerges as a novel mechanistic pathway through which SL impairs myelin function and neural signal propagation, ultimately driving cognitive and behavioral impairments.
Web | DOI | PDF | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | Open Access
Simayi, Reyila; Ficiarà, Eleonora; Faniyan, Oluwatomisin; Cerdán Cerdá, Antonio; Aboufares El Alaoui, Amina; Fiorini, Rosamaria; Cutignano, Adele; Piscitelli, Fabiana; Maroto, Aroa S; Santos, Alexandra; Del Gallo, Federico; de Vivo, Luisa; De Santis, Silvia; Bellesi, Michele
The increasing prevalence of sleep deprivation poses a public health challenge in modern society. Manifestations of reduced alertness, such as slowed reaction times and increased errors, are well-documented behavioral indicators of sleep loss (SL). Yet, the biological consequences of sleep deprivation and their role in behavioral impairment remain elusive.
Our study reveals significant effects of sleep deprivation on myelin integrity. As a result, we identify increased conduction delays in nerve signal propagation, hindered interhemispheric synchronization, and impaired cognitive and motor performance associated with SL. By profiling oligodendrocyte transcriptome and lipidome, we observe SL-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and lipid metabolism dysregulation, particularly affecting cholesterol homeostasis. Boosting cholesterol transport to myelin sheaths prevents SL effects on nerve signal propagation and behavior.
Our findings highlight a possible role of oligodendrocyte cholesterol dysregulation in behavioral deficits associated with SL and unveil a novel target for intervention.
SIGNIFICANCE
Although the behavioral consequences of sleep loss (SL) are well known, the underlying biology has remained elusive. This study identifies oligodendrocytes as key mediators by linking sleep deprivation to impaired myelin integrity, slowed nerve conduction, and behavioral deficits. Importantly, cholesterol imbalance in oligodendrocytes emerges as a novel mechanistic pathway through which SL impairs myelin function and neural signal propagation, ultimately driving cognitive and behavioral impairments.
Web | DOI | PDF | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | Open Access