Hypoxia induces premature OL maturation.

<p>Images of OLs cultured for one week in 21% O₂ in the presence (A–C) or absence (D–F) of GFs, or in 1% O₂ with (G–I) or without (J–L) GFs. Cells were double-labeled for PDGFRα (A, D, G, J) or MBP (B, E, H, K) and counterstained with DAPI (C, F, I, L). A higher proportion of cells stained for PDGFRα (green) in 21% O₂ whereas more MBP (red) labeled cells were observed in 1% O₂ plus GF, or in GF-deprived cultures. OL differentiation was assessed from numbers of MBP-positive cells relative to total cell number (DAPI-positive nuclei). (* <i>p</i><0.001 in comparison to cultures treated with GFs and maintained at 21% O₂). Scale bars = 10 µm. Data shown are representative of three separate studies. At least ten separate coverslips were analyzed per study.