title: [The immune status of Schwann cells: what is the role of the P2X7 receptor?].
abstract: The peripheral nervous system (PNS) displays structural barriers and a lack of lymphatic drainage which strongly limit the access of molecules and cells from the immune system. In addition, the PNS has the ability to set up some specific mechanisms of immune protection to limit the pathogenicity of inflammation processes following insults by pathogens or inflammatory autoimmune diseases like the Guillain-Barré syndrome. Schwann cells are among the most prominent cells which can display immune capabilities in the PNS. Numerous in vitro studies have shown that Schwann cells were indeed able to display a large repertoire of properties, ranging from the participation to antigen presentation, to secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and neurotrophic factors. In vivo studies have confirmed the immune capabilities of Schwann cells. The aim of this review is to present how Schwann cells can participate to the initiation, the regulation and the termination of the immune response in the light of the recent discovery of the Schwann cell expression of purinergic P2X7 receptors.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U394, Neurobiologie Intégrative, 1 Rue Camille Saint Saëns, 33077 Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Aurore
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colomar
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Marty
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Combe
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Médina
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parnet
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Amédée
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018048:Receptors, Purinergic P2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D058486:Receptors, Purinergic P2X7; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C546468:P2RX7 protein, human; D018048:Receptors, Purinergic P2; D058486:Receptors, Purinergic P2X7