Fig. 3: OPCs interact with both neurons and microglia through GAS-TAM receptor signalling.
From: Human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells mediate synapse elimination through TAM receptor activation
a, b Chord diagrams showing top enriched putative communication pathways (a) and interactions within the GAS6 signalling network (b) among OL-lineage cells, neurons, and microglia within the organoids, based on ligand-receptor expression analysis using CellChat39. Arrows indicate directionality of signalling; chord width represents the probability of communication for each ligand-receptor pair (Wilcox test, P < 0.05, one-sided). c Representative IHC image of OPCs (PDGFRα) in 130-DIV-old organoids, with Imaris-based volumetric reconstruction (magnification), showing co-localisation of AXL with its ligand GAS6 on the PDGFRα+ surface. d Representative IHC images of AXL-expressing OPCs (PDGFRα) in 130-DIV-old organoids, with Imaris-based volumetric reconstruction (magnification) showing synaptic uptake in OPCs. The statistics-based colour code indicates the overlap ratio of SYN1 puncta with PDGFRα+ surface (magenta = complete internalisation). e Scatter plot showing correlation between AXL expression and the number of SYN1+ objects per OPC (n = 618 OPCs; three biological lines represented by colour). f Representative IHC images of GAS6-activated OPCs (PDGFRα) in 130-DIV-old organoids, with Imaris-based volumetric reconstruction (magnification) showing synaptic uptake in OPCs. The statistics-based colour code indicates the overlap ratio of GEPH puncta with PDGFRα+ surface (magenta = complete internalisation). g Scatter plot displaying correlation between GAS6 and the number of GEPH+ objects per OPC (n = 705 cells; three biological lines represented by colour). For e, g lines represent linear regression with 95% confidence interval. Statistical significance assessed using two-sided Spearman’s rank correlation, with no multiple-comparison adjustment. Spearman’s correlation coefficient (R) and P values are indicated. Representative images (c, d, f) were observed in at least two independent organoid batches derived from three iPSC lines with similar results. Scale bars: 20 μm (c, f), 10 μm (magnification of c (right), d), 5 μm (in-image magnification of c, d, f).
