Molecular mechanisms in Schwann cell survival and death during peripheral nerve development, injury and disease.
The mechanisms determining the fate of Schwann cells during disease and injury of the adult mammalian peripheral nervous system (PNS) are becoming defined by current advances in molecular neurobiology. It is now apparent that the molecular pathways which regulate the production of the mature myelinating Schwann cell during development may also apply to degenerative and regenerative mechanisms following PNS disease. This review outlines neurobiological responses of Schwann cells during development, injury and disease in order to define the molecular pathways which regulate these crucial events. These mechanisms have implications for our attempts to intervene pharmacologically during pathologies of the PNS.
Boyle
Kristy
K
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Australia.
Azari
Michael F
MF
Profyris
Christos
C
Petratos
Steven
S
D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*