title: Schwann Cells: Development and Role in Nerve Repair.
abstract: Schwann cells develop from the neural crest in a well-defined sequence of events. This involves the formation of the Schwann cell precursor and immature Schwann cells, followed by the generation of the myelin and nonmyelin (Remak) cells of mature nerves. This review describes the signals that control the embryonic phase of this process and the organogenesis of peripheral nerves. We also discuss the phenotypic plasticity retained by mature Schwann cells, and explain why this unusual feature is central to the striking regenerative potential of the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kristján R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Jessen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rhona
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mirsky
authors.affiliation: MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alison C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lloyd
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000196:embryology; D051381:Rats; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*