Initiation of CNS Myelination in the Optic Nerve Is Dependent on Axon Caliber (Cell Reports)

Mayoral et al. show that elimination of neuronal signaling via enucleation of the developing optic nerve of Wlds mice results in normal oligodendrocyte differentiation but disrupted myelination. Myelination is rescued when axons are enlarged prior to enucleation, showing that supra-threshold axon caliber, but not neuronal signaling, is necessary for myelination.