Oligodendrocytes are glial cells that populate the entire CNS after they have differentiated from oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. From birth onward, oligodendrocytes initiate wrapping of neuronal axons with a multilamellar lipid structure called myelin. Apart from their well-established function in action potential propagation, more recent data indicate that oligodendrocytes are essential for providing metabolic support to neurons. Oligodendrocytes transfer energy metabolites to neurons through cytoplasmic “myelinic” channels and monocarboxylate transporters, which allow for the fast delivery of short-carbon-chain energy metabolites like pyruvate and lactate to neurons. These substrates are metabolized and contribute to ATP synthesis in neurons. This Review will discuss our current understanding of this metabolic supportive function of oligodendrocytes and its potential impact in human neurodegenerative disease and related animal models.

少突胶质细胞是神经胶质细胞，在它们与少突胶质细胞祖细胞分化后，就构成了整个中枢神经系统。从出生起，少突胶质细胞开始包裹具有称为髓磷脂的多层脂质结构的神经元轴突。除了它们在动作电位传播中已确立的功能外，最近的数据表明，少突胶质细胞对于向神经元提供代谢支持至关重要。少突胶质细胞通过细胞质“髓系”通道和单羧酸盐转运蛋白将能量代谢物转移至神经元，从而将丙酮酸和乳酸等短碳链能量代谢物快速递送至神经元。这些底物被代谢并有助于神经元中的ATP合成。