title: Netrin-1 induces proliferation of Schwann cells through Unc5b receptor.
abstract: Netrin and its receptors, DCC (Deleted in Colorectal Cancer) and Unc5, are proposed to be involved in the axon guidance and neuroglial migration during development. However, accumulating evidence implies that they may also participate in the cell survival and apoptosis. Here, we show that netrin-1 induces proliferation of Schwann cells. Unc5b is the sole receptor expressed in RT4 schwannoma cells and adult primary Schwann cells, and netrin-1 and Unc5b are found to be expressed in the injured sciatic nerve. It was also found that the netrin-1-induced Schwann cell proliferation was blocked by the specific inhibition of Unc5b expression with RNAi. These data suggest that netrin-1 could be an endogenous trophic factor for Schwann cells in the injured peripheral nerves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, 3-1, Dongdaesin-Dong, Seo-Gu, Busan 602-714, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Kyoung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: In Ae
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Eunhui
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Su-Yeong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Hye Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hwan Tae
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000075388:Netrin-1; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020426:Sciatic Neuropathy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*