title: Chapter 15: Novel pharmacological approaches to Schwann cells as neuroprotective agents for peripheral nerve regeneration.
abstract: Peripheral neuropathies are common neurologic disorders, but current treatments are limited. Among the different approaches to treat the acquired neuropathies due to traumatic injuries, the pharmacological interventions directed to Schwann cell may represent a useful and challenging opportunity. Following nerve damage the distal axon and the ensheathing Schwann cells degenerate, ensuing a process known as "Wallerian degeneration". Schwann cells then dedifferentiate and proliferate to support neurite outgrowth. In the recent years, several pharmacological agents that may promote the Schwann cell in its role of supporting nerve regeneration have been proposed. However, in view of increased understanding of the cellular mechanisms controlling neuron-glial interactions, a great attention has focused on neurotransmitters, neuroactive steroids, and neurohormones. In this review, we survey the latest findings on these factors and assess their potential as novel promising treatments for peripheral neuropathies caused by injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Physiopathology, Applied Biology, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Magnaghi
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Procacci
authors.forename: Ada Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000378:metabolism; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000378:metabolism; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000378:metabolism; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic / Q000378:metabolism; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases