New insights on Schwann cell development.
In the peripheral nervous system, Schwann cells are glial cells that are in intimate contact with axons throughout development. Schwann cells generate the insulating myelin sheath and provide vital trophic support to the neurons that they ensheathe. Schwann cell precursors arise from neural crest progenitor cells, and a highly ordered developmental sequence controls the progression of these cells to become mature myelinating or nonmyelinating Schwann cells. Here, we discuss both seminal discoveries and recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive Schwann cell development and myelination with a focus on cell-cell and cell-matrix signaling events.
Department of Developmental Biology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Kelly R
KR
Monk
Department of Biochemistry and Neurology, Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York.
M Laura
ML
Feltri
Division of Neuroscience and INSPE, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Carla
C
Taveggia
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
Remak Schwann cell; Schwann cell; Schwann cell precursor; immature Schwann cell; myelinating Schwann cell; neural crest; peripheral nervous system; radial sorting