Identifying potential genes involved in synaptic pruning activity of Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells

Synaptic pruning is a critical process in which the brain eliminates excess neuronal synapses, optimizing neural circuitry. While microglia and astrocytes are established mediators of this process, the role of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) remains underexplored. This study uses single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from the Aging Mouse Brain dataset to identify key genes involved in OPC-mediated synaptic pruning. Through hierarchical clustering and differential expression analysis, candidate genes such as Tyrobp, Rgs10, C1ql1, Plxnc1, Itgb1, and Fyn were identified, suggesting shared and distinct pathways with other glial cells. These findings offer new insights into OPC contributions to synaptic pruning and assembly and provide insights into potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.