Schwann Cell Reactions in Acute and Chronic Segmental Demyelinating Neuropathies

1968 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 108-109
Author(s):  
Roy O. Weller
Keyword(s):  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Myelin Sheath ◽  
Wallerian Degeneration ◽  
Demyelinating Disease ◽  
Segmental Demyelination ◽  
Recovery Stage ◽  
Myelin Sheaths ◽  
Demyelinating Neuropathies

The length of axon that each Schwann cell myelinates in a normal peripheral nerve is approximately proportional to the diameter of the axon and the thickness of the myelin sheath produced. When segmental demyelination occurs, individual segments, represented by the length of axon covered by one Schwann cell, lose their myelin sheaths but the axons are preserved. This differs from Wallerian degeneration where myelin destruction occurs along the length of a nerve fibre following death of the axon.In experimental diphtheritic neuropathy, an acute segmental demyelinating disease, lysosomes accumulate within the Schwann cells prior to disruption of the myelin sheath; furthermore, the site of initial myelin breakdown appears to be closely related to the collections of lysosomes. The Schwann cell starts to form a new myelin sheath around the axon probably within a few hours of the destruction of the original myelin sheath, and while the latter is being catabolised within lysosomal vacuoles This stage of remyelination follows a similar course to primary myelination, so that the recovery stage is characterised by normal axons with either no myelin, or surrounded by sheaths that are very thin relative to the diameter of the axon.

scholarly journals Myelin sheath survival after guanethidine-induced axonal degeneration.

1992 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
G J Kidd ◽  
J W Heath ◽  
B D Trapp ◽  
P R Dunkley
Keyword(s):  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Superior Cervical Ganglion ◽  
Myelin Sheath ◽  
Axonal Regeneration ◽  
Wallerian Degeneration ◽  
Axonal Degeneration ◽  
Serial Sections ◽  
Myelin Sheaths ◽  
Cervical Ganglion ◽  
Contrast Analysis

Membrane-membrane interactions between axons and Schwann cells are required for initial myelin formation in the peripheral nervous system. However, recent studies of double myelination in sympathetic nerve have indicated that myelin sheaths continue to exist after complete loss of axonal contact (Kidd, G. J., and J. W. Heath. 1988. J. Neurocytol. 17:245-261). This suggests that myelin maintenance may be regulated either by diffusible axonal factors or by nonaxonal mechanisms. To test these hypotheses, axons involved in double myelination in the rat superior cervical ganglion were destroyed by chronic guanethidine treatment. Guanethidine-induced sympathectomy resulted in a Wallerian-like pattern of myelin degeneration within 10 d. In doubly myelinated configurations the axon, inner myelin sheath (which lies in contact with the axon), and approximately 75% of outer myelin sheaths broke down by this time. Degenerating outer sheaths were not found at later periods. It is probably that outer sheaths that degenerated were only partially displaced from the axon at the commencement of guanethidine treatment. In contrast, analysis of serial sections showed that completely displaced outer internodes remained ultrastructurally intact. These internodes survived degeneration of the axon and inner sheath, and during the later time points (2-6 wk) they enclosed only connective tissue elements and reorganized Schwann cells/processes. Axonal regeneration was not observed within surviving outer internodes. We therefore conclude that myelin maintenance in the superior cervical ganglion is not dependent on direct axonal contact or diffusible axonal factors. In addition, physical association of Schwann cells with the degenerating axon may be an important factor in precipitating myelin breakdown during Wallerian degeneration.

Periaxin expression in myelinating Schwann cells: modulation by axon-glial interactions and polarized localization during development

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (12) ◽  
pp. 4265-4273 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.S. Scherer ◽  
Y.T. Xu ◽  
P.G. Bannerman ◽  
D.L. Sherman ◽  
P.J. Brophy
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Myelin Sheath ◽  
Myelin Proteins ◽  
Developmentally Regulated ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Myelin Sheaths

Periaxin is a newly described protein that is expressed exclusively by myelinating Schwann cells. In developing nerves, periaxin is first detected as Schwann cells ensheathe axons, prior to the appearance of the proteins that characterize the myelin sheath. Periaxin is initially concentrated in the adaxonal membrane (apposing the axon) but, during development, as myelin sheaths mature, periaxin becomes predominately localized at the abaxonal Schwann cell membrane (apposing the basal lamina). In permanently axotomized adult nerves, periaxin is lost from the abaxonal and adaxonal membranes, becomes associated with degenerating myelin sheaths and is phagocytosed by macrophages. In crushed nerves, in which axons regenerate and are remyelinated, periaxin is first detected in the adoxonal membrane as Schwann cells ensheathe regenerating axons, but again prior to the appearance of other myelin proteins. Periaxin mRNA and protein levels change in parallel with those of other myelin-related genes after permanent axotomy and crush. These data demonstrate that periaxin is expressed by myelinating Schwann cells in a dynamic, developmentally regulated manner. The shift in localization of periaxin in the Schwann cell after completion of the spiralization phase of myelination suggests that periaxin participates in membrane-protein interactions that are required to stabilize the mature myelin sheath.

scholarly journals Schwann cell autophagy, myelinophagy, initiates myelin clearance from injured nerves

2015 ◽  
Vol 210 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose A. Gomez-Sanchez ◽  
Lucy Carty ◽  
Marta Iruarrizaga-Lejarreta ◽  
Marta Palomo-Irigoyen ◽  
Marta Varela-Rey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Peripheral Nerves ◽  
Wallerian Degeneration ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Demyelinating Disease ◽  
Cell Reprogramming ◽  
Selective Autophagy ◽  
Wide Range

Although Schwann cell myelin breakdown is the universal outcome of a remarkably wide range of conditions that cause disease or injury to peripheral nerves, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that make Schwann cell–mediated myelin digestion possible have not been established. We report that Schwann cells degrade myelin after injury by a novel form of selective autophagy, myelinophagy. Autophagy was up-regulated by myelinating Schwann cells after nerve injury, myelin debris was present in autophagosomes, and pharmacological and genetic inhibition of autophagy impaired myelin clearance. Myelinophagy was positively regulated by the Schwann cell JNK/c-Jun pathway, a central regulator of the Schwann cell reprogramming induced by nerve injury. We also present evidence that myelinophagy is defective in the injured central nervous system. These results reveal an important role for inductive autophagy during Wallerian degeneration, and point to potential mechanistic targets for accelerating myelin clearance and improving demyelinating disease.

scholarly journals A Neuropathy in Goats Caused by Experimental Coyotillo (Karwinskia humboldtiana) Poisoning

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 385-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Charlton ◽  
K. R. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Myelin Sheath ◽  
Wallerian Degeneration ◽  
Axonal Degeneration ◽  
Cell Injury ◽  
Transitional Zone ◽  
Primary Lesion ◽  
Segmental Demyelination ◽  
Sequential Development ◽  
Oral Doses

The sequential development of the lesions in the peripheral nervous systems of 22 goats poisoned with daily oral doses of ground coyotillo fruits was studied. Studies of teased fibers revealed swelling of Schwann cells, clefts in the myelin sheath, segmental demyelination, remyelination, Wallerian degeneration, and regeneration. A few fibers had a large globular or ovoid swelling in a transitional zone between a region undergoing segmental demyelination at one end and Wallerian degeneration at the other end. These distended transitional zones were the sites of intense acid phosphatase activity in axons. These histologic studies indicate that the primary lesion occurred in Schwann cells and resulted in swelling of Schwann cells, clefts in the myelin sheath, and segmental demyclination. The sequence of development of the lesions suggests that axonal degeneration were secondary to Schwann-cell injury.

The Fine Structure and Morphological Organization of the Peripheral Nerve-fibres and Trunks of the Cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

1958 ◽  
Vol s3-99 (47) ◽  
pp. 333-340
Author(s):  
ARTHUR HESS
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Myelin Sheath ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Periplaneta Americana ◽  
Nerve Trunk ◽  
Bromphenol Blue ◽  
Nerve Fibres

Sections of the peripheral nerve-trunks of the metathoracic leg of the cockroach (Periplaneta americana) were studied with the electron microscope. Paraffin sections were also prepared and stained. Protargol succeeds in staining the nerve-fibres. Osmium tetroxide, a modified Weigert procedure, and Luxol fast blue stain the myelin sheaths, as does mercuric bromphenol blue, a protein stain. The axoplasm is relatively free of formed elements; it contains mitochondria. The myelin sheath, when present on the largest and also some smaller fibres, consists of about two or three loose over lapping processes of Schwann cells, covered by their plasma membranes, enclosing lipid-like droplets and having a beaded appearance. Between the nerve-fibres in the nerve-trunk is Schwann-cell cytoplasm, which arises from Schwann cells that surround the whole nerve-trunk. The same fold of Schwann-cell membrane may enter into the formation of the myelin sheath around more than one nerve-fibre. Several small non-myelinated fibres, which may be as small as 0.3 µ in diameter or less, may be enclosed in the same fold of Schwann-cell membrane. Outside of the Schwann-cell layer and surrounding the nerve-trunk is a thin layer of connective tissue, which does not send trabeculae into the interior of the nerve. Tracheae and tracheoles accompany the nerve but are not included within the sheaths surrounding a nerve-trunk, even near the termination of the nerve-fibres in muscle. The structure of the cockroach peripheral nerve is compared with that described by previous investigators, with that of other insects, and with invertebrate and vertebrate nerve.

The fine structure and morphological organization of non-myelinated nerve fibres

1956 ◽  
Vol 144 (917) ◽  
pp. 496-506 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Myelin Sheath ◽  
Peripheral Nerves ◽  
Nerve Fibres ◽  
Myelinated Nerve ◽  
Morphological Organization ◽  
Myelinated Fibres

The fine structure and morphological organization of non-myelinated nerve fibres were studied by ultra-thin sectioning and electron microscopy in peripheral nerves, autonomic nerves and dorsal roots. Several non-myelinated fibres share the cytoplasm of a Schwann cell. The Schwann cells of non-myelinated fibres form a syncytium. The fibres are incompletely sur­rounded by Schwann cell cytoplasm and are suspended in the cytoplasm by mesaxons formed by the plasma membranes of the Schwann cell. The various relationships of mesaxon and nerve fibre are described. Non-myelinated fibres which do not share a Schwann cell are seen very frequently in the sciatic nerve of a new-born mouse but become less common as myelination proceeds and are rare in adults. It is therefore suggested that in developing peripheral nerves, the non­ myelinated fibres that are destined to myelinate are not organized into groups within a single Schwann cell, even before their myelin sheath has appeared; they are, at least for the ages examined here, individuals in relation to a surrounding individual Schwann cell. It is also suggested that the non-myelinated fibres that will never acquire a myelin sheath are organized in a developing peripheral nerve in the same manner as in the adult nerve—several fibres sharing a single Schwann cell that is part of a syncytial system of Schwann cells. Thus, in a developing peripheral nerve, it appears that two types of non-myelinated fibres are present—one destined to myelinate and lying alone in its own Schwann cell and the other, destined to remain unmyelinated and sharing, along with other non-myelinated fibres of the same type, a Schwann cell. The significance of these observations is discussed in relation to the development of nerve fibres and possible physiological importance.

scholarly journals Heme Oxygenase 1 in Schwann Cells Regulates Peripheral Nerve Degeneration Against Oxidative Stress

ASN NEURO ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 175909141983894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muwoong Kim ◽  
Hyosun Kim ◽  
Dogyeong Kim ◽  
Dokyoung Kim ◽  
Youngbuhm Huh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Ferrous Iron ◽  
Wallerian Degeneration ◽  
Oxidative Degradation ◽  
Nerve Degeneration ◽  
Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽  
Cell Dynamics

During Wallerian degeneration, Schwann cells lose their characteristic of myelinating axons and shift into the state of developmental promyelinating cells. This recharacterized Schwann cell guides newly regrowing axons to their destination and remyelinates reinnervated axons. This Schwann cell dynamics during Wallerian degeneration is associated with oxidative events. Heme oxygenases (HOs) are involved in the oxidative degradation of heme into biliverdin/bilirubin, ferrous iron, and carbon monoxide. Overproduction of ferrous iron by HOs increases reactive oxygen species, which have deleterious effects on living cells. Thus, the key molecule for understanding the exact mechanism of Wallerian degeneration in the peripheral nervous system is likely related to oxidative stress-mediated HOs in Schwann cells. In this study, we demonstrate that demyelinating Schwann cells during Wallerian degeneration highly express HO1, not HO2, and remyelinating Schwann cells during nerve regeneration decrease HO1 activation to levels similar to those in normal myelinating Schwann cells. In addition, HO1 activation during Wallerian degeneration regulates several critical phenotypes of recharacterized repair Schwann cells, such as demyelination, transdedifferentiation, and proliferation. Thus, these results suggest that oxidative stress in Schwann cells after peripheral nerve injury may be regulated by HO1 activation during Wallerian degeneration and oxidative-stress-related HO1 activation in Schwann cells may be helpful to study deeply molecular mechanism of Wallerian degeneration.

scholarly journals Axon-dependent expression of YAP/TAZ mediates Schwann cell remyelination but not proliferation after nerve injury

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Grove ◽  
Hyunkyoung Lee ◽  
Huaqing Zhao ◽  
Young-Jin Son
Keyword(s):  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Myelin Sheath ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Axon Degeneration ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Functional Regeneration ◽  
Growth Promoting

ABSTRACTPreviously we showed that YAP/TAZ promote not only proliferation but also differentiation of immature Schwann cells (SCs), thereby forming and maintaining the myelin sheath around peripheral axons (Grove et al., 2017). Here we show that YAP/TAZ are required for mature SCs to restore peripheral myelination, but not to proliferate, after nerve injury. We find that YAP/TAZ dramatically disappear from SCs of adult mice concurrent with axon degeneration after nerve injury. They reappear in SCs only if axons regenerate. YAP/TAZ ablation does not impair SC proliferation or transdifferentiation into growth promoting repair SCs. SCs lacking YAP/TAZ, however, fail to upregulate myelin-associated genes and completely fail to remyelinate regenerated axons. We also show that both YAP and TAZ are redundantly required for optimal remyelination. These findings suggest that axons regulate transcriptional activity of YAP/TAZ in adult SCs and that YAP/TAZ are essential for functional regeneration of peripheral nerve.

scholarly journals Axon-dependent expression of YAP/TAZ mediates Schwann cell remyelination but not proliferation after nerve injury

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Grove ◽  
Hyunkyoung Lee ◽  
Huaqing Zhao ◽  
Young-Jin Son
Keyword(s):  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Myelin Sheath ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Axon Degeneration ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Functional Regeneration ◽  
Growth Promoting

Previously we showed that YAP/TAZ promote not only proliferation but also differentiation of immature Schwann cells (SCs), thereby forming and maintaining the myelin sheath around peripheral axons (Grove et al., 2017). Here we show that YAP/TAZ are required for mature SCs to restore peripheral myelination, but not to proliferate, after nerve injury. We find that YAP/TAZ dramatically disappear from SCs of adult mice concurrent with axon degeneration after nerve injury. They reappear in SCs only if axons regenerate. YAP/TAZ ablation does not impair SC proliferation or transdifferentiation into growth promoting repair SCs. SCs lacking YAP/TAZ, however, fail to upregulate myelin-associated genes and completely fail to remyelinate regenerated axons. We also show that both YAP and TAZ are redundantly required for optimal remyelination. These findings suggest that axons regulate transcriptional activity of YAP/TAZ in adult SCs and that YAP/TAZ are essential for functional regeneration of peripheral nerve.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document