Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells Sculpt the Visual System by Regulating Axonal Remodeling

Many oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) do not differentiate to form myelin, suggesting additional roles of this cell population. The zebrafish optic tectum contains OPCs in regions devoid of myelin. Elimination of these OPCs impaired precise control of retinal ganglion cell axon arbor size during formation and maturation of retinotectal connectivity, and in consequence impaired visual acuity. Therefore, OPCs fine-tune neural circuit structure and function independently of their canonical role to make myelin.