title: [Recent data on Schwann cells].
abstract: Because of the role they play in the physiopathology of peripheral neuropathies, Schwann cells have been the subject of numerous studies for some ten years. Schwann cells originate in the ectoderm. They migrate along the myelinated and the unmyelinated axons of peripheral nerves, and lie on a basal lamina. They are responsible for the myelination of peripheral nerves; whether the Schwann cell does or does not form a myelin sheath is determined by the type of axon with which it associates. Recent techniques, such as chimaeric quail-chick embryos, biochemical analysis of human peripheral nerve biopsies, Schwann-cell cultures, nerve grafts, mouse mutants, have permitted some progress. The biochemical composition of peripheral myelin is almost completely known. In vitro, Schwann cells can synthesize myelin-specific molecules. Interactions between axons, Schwann-cells and extra-cellular space have been observed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000378:metabolism; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014855:Wallerian Degeneration
vernacular_title: Données récentes sur les cellules de Schwann.