title: Impairment of PMP22 transgenic Schwann cells differentiation in culture: implications for Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A disease.
abstract: Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) is a hereditary demyelinating neuropathy due to an increased genetic dosage of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22). The mechanisms leading from PMP22 overexpression to impairment of myelination are still unclear. We evaluated expression and processing of PMP22, viability, proliferation, migration, motility and shaping properties, and ability of forming myelin of PMP22 transgenic (PMP22(tg)) Schwann cells in culture. In basal conditions, PMP22(tg) Schwann cells, although expressing higher PMP22 levels than control ones, show normal motility, migration and shaping properties. Addition of forskolin to the media induces an additional stimulation of PMP22 expression and results in an impairment of cells migration and motility, and a reduction of cell area and perimeter. Similarly, co-culturing transgenic Schwann cells with neurons causes an altered cells differentiation and an impairment of myelin formation. In conclusion, exposure of PMP22(tg) Schwann to the axon or to axonal-mimicking stimuli significantly affects the transition of transgenic Schwann cells to the myelinating phenotype.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucilla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nobbio
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vigo
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abbruzzese
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brancolini
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mantero
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grandis
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mancardi
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schenone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002607:Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009185:Myelin Proteins; C489546:Pmp22 protein, rat