Myelin basic protein stimulates the proliferation of astrocytes: possible explanation for multiple sclerosis plaque formation

In dissociated mouse brain cell cultures we frequently observed an association between myelin basic protein (MBP) positive oligo-dendrocytes and proliferating astrocytes. When MBP was added in a purified form to the culture medium, it greatly stimulated the proliferation of astrocytes, while other proteins tested did not. This finding allows us to speculate that the gliosis observed in demyelinating diseases or/and in central nervous system (CNS) injury would be due to the mitogenic effect exerted by MBP or its fragments when there is myelin breakdown.