title: N-Cadherin inhibits Schwann cell migration on astrocytes.
abstract: Astrocytes exclude Schwann cells (SCs) from the central nervous system (CNS) at peripheral nerve entry zones and restrict their migration after transplantation into the CNS. We have modeled the interactions between SCs, astrocytes, and fibroblasts in vitro. Astrocytes and SCs in vitro form separate territories, with sharp boundaries between them. SCs migrate poorly when placed on astrocyte monolayers, but migrate well on various other surfaces such as laminin (LN) and skin fibroblasts. Interactions between individual SCs and astrocytes result in long-lasting adhesive contacts during which the SC is unable to migrate away from the astrocyte. In contrast, SC interactions with fibroblasts are much shorter with less arrest of migration. SCs adhere strongly to astrocytes and other SCs, but less well to substrates that promote migration, such as LN and fibroblasts. SC-astrocyte and SC-SC adhesion is mediated by the calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin. Inhibition of N-cadherin function by calcium withdrawal, peptides containing the classical cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence His-Ala-Val, or antibodies directed against this sequence inhibit SC adhesion and increase SC migration on astrocytes. We suggest that N-cadherin-mediated adhesion to astrocytes inhibits the widespread migration of SCs in CNS tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wilby
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fok-Seang
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Gour
authors.forename: O W
authors.initials: OW
authors.lastname: Blaschuk
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Fawcett
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002449:Cell Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D009842:Oligopeptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D002118:Calcium