scholarly journals Evidence that contact with connective tissue matrix is required for normal interaction between Schwann cells and nerve fibers.

1978 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 943-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
R P Bunge ◽  
M B Bunge

Explants of fetal rat sensory ganglia, cultured under conditions allowing axon and Schwann cell outgrowth in the absence of fibroblasts, occasionally develop nerve fascicles that are partially suspended in culture medium above the collagen substrate. In these suspended regions, fascicles are abnormal in that Schwann cells are decreased in number, are confined to occasional clusters along the fascicle, provide ensheathment for only a few axons at the fascicle periphery, and do not form myelin. When these fascicles are presented with a substrate of reconstituted rat-tail collagen, Schwann cell numbers increase, ensheathment of small nerve fibers occurs normally, and larger axons are myelinated. We conclude that, for normal development, Schwann cells require contact with extracellular matrix as well as axons. The Schwann cell abnormalities in suspended fascicles are similar to those observed in nerve roots of dystrophic mice.

1960 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 719-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel C. Godman ◽  
Keith R. Porter

The role of the cells in the fabrication of a connective tissue matrix, and the structural modifications which accompany cytodifferentiation have been investigated in developing epiphyseal cartilage of fetal rat by means of electron microscopy. Differentiation of the prechondral mesenchymal cells to chondroblasts is marked by the acquisition of an extensive endoplasmic reticulum, enlargement and concentration of the Golgi apparatus, the appearance of membrane-bounded cytoplasmic inclusions, and the formation of specialized foci of increased density in the cell cortex. These modifications are related to the secretion of the cartilage matrix. The matrix of young hyaline cartilage consists of groups of relatively short, straight, banded collagen fibrils of 10 to 20 mµ and a dense granular component embedded in an amorphous ground substance of moderate electron density. It is postulated that the first phase of fibrillogenesis takes place at the cell cortex in dense bands or striae within the ectoplasm subjacent to the cell membrane. These can be resolved into sheaves of "primary" fibrils of about 7 to 10 mµ. They are supposedly shed (by excortication) into the matrix space between the separating chondroblasts, where they may serve as "cores" of the definitive matrix fibrils. The diameter of the fibrils may subsequently increase up to threefold, presumably by incorporation of "soluble" or tropocollagen units from the ground substance. The chondroblast also discharges into the matrix the electrondense amorphous or granular contents of vesicles derived from the Golgi apparatus, and the mixed contents of large vacuoles or blebs bounded by distinctive double membranes. Small vesicles with amorphous homogeneous contents of moderate density are expelled in toto from the chondroblasts. In their subsequent evolution to chondrocytes, both nucleus and cytoplasm of the chondroblasts undergo striking condensation. Those moving toward the osteogenic plate accumulate increasingly large stores of glycogen. In the chondrocyte, the enlarged fused Golgi vesicles with dense contents, massed in the juxtanuclear zone, are the most prominent feature of the cytoplasm. Many of these make their way to the surface to discharge their contents. The hypertrophied chondrocytes of the epiphyseal plate ultimately yield up their entire contents to the matrix.


1976 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Villegas ◽  
C Sevcik ◽  
F V Barnola ◽  
R Villegas

The actions of grayanotoxin I, veratrine, and tetrodotoxin on the membrane potential of the Schwann cell were studied in the giant nerve fiber of the squid Sepioteuthis sepioidea. Schwann cells of intact nerve fibers and Schwann cells attached to axons cut lengthwise over several millimeters were utilized. The axon membrane potential in the intact nerve fibers was also monitored. The effects of grayanotoxin I and veratrine on the membrane potential of the Schwann cell were found to be similar to those they produce on the resting membrane potential of the giant axon. Thus, grayanotoxin I (1-30 muM) and veratrine (5-50 mug-jl-1), externally applied to the intact nerve fiber or to axon-free nerve fiber sheaths, produce a Schwann cell depolarization which can be reversed by decreasing the external sodium concentration or by external application of tetrodotoxin. The magnitude of these membrane potential changes is related to the concentrations of the drugs in the external medium. These results indicate the existence of sodium pathways in the electrically unexcitable Schwann cell membrane of S. sepioidea, which can be opened up by grayanotoxin I and veratrine, and afterwards are blocked by tetrodotoxin. The sodium pathways of the Schwann cell membrane appear to be different from those of the axolemma which show a voltage-dependent conductance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Jia ◽  
Wei Huang ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Peng Zhang ◽  
Zhiwei Wang ◽  
...  

While Nogo protein demonstrably inhibits nerve regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS), its effect on Schwann cells in peripheral nerve repair and regeneration following sciatic nerve injury remains unknown. In this research, We assessed the post-injury expression of Nogo-C in an experimental mouse model of sciatic nerve-crush injury. Nogo-C knockout (Nogo-C–/–) mouse was generated to observe the effect of Nogo-C on sciatic nerve regeneration, Schwann cell apoptosis, and myelin disintegration after nerve injury, and the effects of Nogo-C on apoptosis and dedifferentiation of Schwann cells were observed in vitro. We found that the expression of Nogo-C protein at the distal end of the injured sciatic nerve increased in wild type (WT) mice. Compared with the injured WT mice, the proportion of neuronal apoptosis was significantly diminished and the myelin clearance rate was significantly elevated in injured Nogo-C–/– mice; the number of nerve fibers regenerated and the degree of myelination were significantly elevated in Nogo-C–/– mice on Day 14 after injury. In addition, the recovery of motor function was significantly accelerated in the injured Nogo-C–/– mice. The overexpression of Nogo-C in primary Schwann cells using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer promoted Schwann cells apoptosis. Nogo-C significantly reduced the ratio of c-Jun/krox-20 expression, indicating its inhibition of Schwann cell dedifferentiation. Above all, we hold the view that the expression of Nogo-C increases following peripheral nerve injury to promote Schwann cell apoptosis and inhibit Schwann cell dedifferentiation, thereby inhibiting peripheral nerve regeneration.


1984 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 1831-1837 ◽  
Author(s):  
A C Peterson ◽  
G M Bray

Multiple discontinuities are observed in the basal laminas of Schwann cells in mature dystrophic mice. To explore the pathogenesis of this abnormality we have exploited a dystrophic in equilibrium shiverer mouse chimera preparation in which both the basal lamina phenotype and the genotype of myelin-forming Schwann cells can be determined. If the basal lamina abnormality were to arise from an intrinsic deficiency of the dystrophic Schwann cell itself, only those Schwann cells of dystrophic genotype could express the mutant phenotype, whereas the coexisting population of shiverer Schwann cells should express typically normal basal laminas. No such distinction was observed; rather both dystrophic and shiverer Schwann cells were found to express relatively normal basal laminas and two pathogenetic mechanisms remain theoretical possibilities. The dystrophic Schwann cell population may be intrinsically defective but also may be rescued by obtaining the normal product of the dy locus synthesized by the coexisting shiverer cells. Alternatively, an extra Schwann cell deficiency existing within dystrophic mice may be normalized by shiverer cells and the normal intrinsic potential of both dystrophic and shiverer Schwann cells can then be realized. Regardless of the exact mechanism underlying these findings, some extracellularly mediated influence, emanating in vivo from shiverer cells, is capable of ameliorating the basal lamina deficiency typically expressed by dystrophic Schwann cells.


1980 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 739-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
J L Salzer ◽  
R P Bunge

In this paper the stimuli for and pattern of Schwann cell proliferation are defined under various experimental conditions. We used a tissue culture system in which fetal rat dorsal root ganglia, treated to eliminate contaminating fibroblasts (Wood, P., 1976, Brain Res. 115:361--375), appear to recapitulate many aspects of the developing peripheral nervous system. We observed that: (a) proliferation of Schwann cells on neurites is initially rapid, but, as each neurite becomes fully ensheathed, division slows considerably and is confined to the periphery of the outgrowth; (b) during the period of rapid proliferation, excision of the ganglion causes a rapid decay in the number of dividing cells; (c) excision of the ganglion from more established cultures in which there was little ongoing proliferation resulted in a small increase in labeling at the site of excision for all Schwann cells and a substantial increase in labeling for myelin-related cells with a peak labeling period at 4 d; (d) direct mechanical injury during Wallerian degeneration is mitogenic for Schwann cells; (e) a variety of potential mitogens failed to stimulate Schwann cell proliferation, and (f) replated cells have a slightly higher level of proliferation and show a small and variable response to the addition of cAMP.


1975 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
R C Yu ◽  
R P Bunge

Cultures of whole fetal rat sensory ganglia which had matured and myelinated in culture were treated for 1-3 h with a pulse of 0.2% trypsin. The tissue was observed during the period of treatment and during subsequent weeks using both light and electron microscopy. Within minutes after trypsin addition the matrix of the culture was altered and the nerve fascicles loosened. Progressive changes included the retraction of Schwann cell processes from the nodal region the detachment of the myelin-related paranodal Schwann cell loops from the axon, and lengthening of the nodal region as the axon was bared. The retraction of myelin from nodal stabilized several hours after trypsin withdrawal. Breakdown of the altered myelin segments was rare. There were no discernable changes in neurons or their processes after this exposure to trypsin. The partial repair which occured over a period of several weeks included the reattachment of paranodal Schwann cell loops to the axolemma and the insertion of new myelin segments where a substantial length of axolemma had been bared. The significance of these observations to the characterization of the Schwann cell-axolemmal junctions on myelinated nerve fibers is discussed. The dramatic degree of myelin change that can occur without concomitant myelin breakdown is particularly noted, as is the observation that these altered myelin segments are, in part, repaired.


2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. KALBERMATTEN ◽  
P. ERBA ◽  
D. MAHAY ◽  
M. WIBERG ◽  
G. PIERER ◽  
...  

Many strategies have been investigated to provide an ideal substitute to treat a nerve gap injury. Initially, silicone conduits were used and more recently conduits fabricated from natural materials such as poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) showed good results but still have their limitations. Surgically, a new concept optimising harvested autologous nerve graft has been introduced as the single fascicle method. It has been shown that a single fascicle repair of nerve grafting is successful. We investigated a new approach using a PHB strip seeded with Schwann cells to mimic a small nerve fascicle. Schwann cells were attached to the PHB strip using diluted fibrin glue and used to bridge a 10-mm sciatic nerve gap in rats. Comparison was made with a group using conventional PHB conduit tubes filled with Schwann cells and fibrin glue. After 2 weeks, the nerve samples were harvested and investigated for axonal and Schwann cell markers. PGP9.5 immunohistochemistry showed a superior nerve regeneration distance in the PHB strip group versus the PHB tube group (> 10 mm, crossed versus 3.17± 0.32 mm respectively, P<0.05) as well as superior Schwann cell intrusion (S100 staining) from proximal (> 10 mm, crossed versus 3.40± 0.36 mm, P<0.01) and distal (> 10 mm, crossed versus 2.91± 0.31 mm, P<0.001) ends. These findings suggest a significant advantage of a strip in rapidly connecting a nerve gap lesion and imply that single fascicle nerve grafting is advantageous for nerve repair in rats.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wunai Zhang ◽  
Rui He ◽  
Wenbin Yang ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Qinggong Yuan ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundPerineural invasion (PNI) and autophagy are two common features in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer (PanCa) and have a negative effect on prognosis. Potential mediator cells and the molecular mechanism underlying their relationships need to be fully elucidated. MethodsTo investigate the autophagy of Schwann cells (SCs) in PNI, we reproduced the microenvironment of PNI by collecting clinical PNI tissue, performing sciatic nerve injection of nude mice with cancer cells and establishing a Dorsal root ganglion(DRG) coculture system with cancer cell lines. Autophagy was detected by IHC, IF, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and western blotting assays. Apoptosis was detected by IF, TEM and western blotting. NGF targeting molecular RO 08-2750(RO) and the autophagy inhibitor Chloroquine(CQ)were utilized to evaluate the effect on autophagy and apoptosis in SCs and PanCa cells in PNI samples.ResultsSC autophagy is activated in PNI by paracrine NGF from PanCa cells. Autophagy-activated Schwann cells promote PNI through a) enhanced migration and axon guidance toward PanCa cells and b) increased chemoattraction to PanCa cells. The NGF-targeting reagent RO and autophagy inhibitor CQ inhibited Schwann cell autophagic flux and induced Schwann cell apoptosis. Moreover, RO and CQ could induce PanCa cell apoptosis and showed good therapeutic effects in the PNI model.ConclusionsPanCa cells can induce autophagy in SCs through paracrine pathways such as the NGF/ATG7 pathway. Autophagic SCs exert a "nerve-repair like effect", induce a high level of autophagy of cancer cells, provide a "beacon" for the invasion of cancer cells to nerve fibers, and induce directional growth of cancer cells. Targeting NGF and autophagy for PNI treatment can block nerve infiltration and is expected to provide new directions and an experimental basis for the research and treatment of nerve infiltration in pancreatic cancer.


1986 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 2254-2263 ◽  
Author(s):  
D J Carey ◽  
M S Todd ◽  
C M Rafferty

Exposing rat Schwann cells co-cultured with nerve cells to a reconstituted basement membrane induced the formation of myelin segments by Schwann cells. This occurred in a serum-free culture medium in which, in the absence of this matrix, Schwann cells proliferate but fail to differentiate. This reconstituted basement membrane was prepared from solubilized extracellular matrix proteins synthesized by a basement membrane-producing murine tumor. The major constituents of this reconstituted matrix are collagen type IV, laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, entactin, and nidogen. The matrix also elicited striking morphological changes in Schwann cells, inducing them to spread longitudinally along the nerve fibers (a necessary early step in the process of ensheathment of nerve fibers). Several observations indicated that the effect of the matrix was exerted directly on Schwann cells and not indirectly through an effect on nerve cells. First, the matrix-induced cell spreading occurred only in areas in which Schwann cells directly contacted the matrix; Schwann cells that were associated with the same nerve fibers but that did not themselves directly contact the matrix did not exhibit spreading. Second, the matrix-induced alteration in Schwann cell morphology was observed in cultures in which the nerve cells were removed. These results provide direct evidence that basement membrane contact induces normal Schwann cell differentiation, and support the idea that Schwann cell differentiation in vivo may be regulated by the appearance of the basement membrane, which normally envelops terminally differentiating Schwann cells.


1974 ◽  
Vol 140 (6) ◽  
pp. 1482-1497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zena Werb ◽  
John J. Reynolds

Rabbit synovial fibroblasts in monolayer culture secrete a specific collagenase and a neutral endopeptidase into their serum-free culture medium. The rate of secretion of these two enzymes is increased after the ingestion and storage of latex particles within the vacuolar system of the cells. The increased rates of secretion of the neutral enzymes are stable for over 2 wk in the absence of a further phagocytic bout. In constrast there is little change in the extracellular levels of two lysosomal hydrolases, cathepsin D and ß-glucuronidase. The increase in the secretory rates for the two neutral enzymes is related to the number of latex particles ingested by the cells, and increases of up to 12-fold over the nonphagocytosing cultures were observed. A variety of other materials including mycostatin particles and dextran sulfate also induced increases in the secretion of collagenase. These results are discussed in relation to the turnover of connective tissue matrix macromolecules.


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