Publications by authors named "Julia X X Luo"

Background: Microglia are tissue resident macrophages with a wide range of critically important functions in central nervous system development and homeostasis.

Method: In this study, we aimed to characterize the transcriptional landscape of ex vivo human microglia across different developmental ages using cells derived from pre-natal, pediatric, adolescent, and adult brain samples. We further confirmed our transcriptional observations using ELISA and RNAscope.

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Article Synopsis
  • Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that mature oligodendrocytes (MOLs) in the human brain and spinal cord have distinct subpopulations based on region and age.
  • Spinal cord MOLs showed increased immune-related markers, while subventricular zone MOLs had more development-linked transcription factors, indicating unique characteristics across different brain regions.
  • Pediatric MOLs, particularly those from children under 5, exhibited higher expression of genes related to development and immune activity, suggesting that younger MOLs are influenced by both developmental and environmental factors.
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Early multiple sclerosis lesions feature relative preservation of oligodendrocyte cell bodies with dying back retraction of their myelinating processes. Cell loss occurs with disease progression. Putative injury mediators include metabolic stress (low glucose/nutrient), pro-inflammatory mediators (interferon γ and tumour necrosis factor α), and excitotoxins (glutamate).

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Objective: Myelin regeneration in the human central nervous system relies on progenitor cells within the tissue parenchyma, with possible contribution from previously myelinating oligodendrocytes (OLs). In multiple sclerosis, a demyelinating disorder, variables affecting remyelination efficiency include age, severity of initial injury, and progenitor cell properties. Our aim was to investigate the effects of age and differentiation on the myelination potential of human OL lineage cells.

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Myelin destruction and oligodendrocyte (OL) death consequent to metabolic stress is a feature of CNS disorders across the age spectrum. Using cells derived from surgically resected tissue, we demonstrate that young ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF