Epigenetic Control of Schwann Cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 627-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ki H. Ma ◽  
John Svaren
Keyword(s):  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Neural Crest ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Chromatin Modification ◽  
Transcriptional Networks ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Differentiation Status

The journey of Schwann cells from their origin in the neural crest to their ensheathment and myelination of peripheral nerves is a remarkable one. Their apparent static function in enabling saltatory conduction of mature nerve is not only vital for long-term health of peripheral nerve but also belies an innate capacity of terminally differentiated Schwann cells to radically alter their differentiation status in the face of nerve injury. The transition from migrating neural crest cells to nerve ensheathment, and then myelination of large diameter axons has been characterized extensively and several of the transcriptional networks have been identified. However, transcription factors must also modify chromatin structure during Schwann cell maturation and this review will focus on chromatin modification machinery that is involved in promoting the transition to, and maintenance of, myelinating Schwann cells. In addition, Schwann cells are known to play important regenerative roles after peripheral nerve injury, and information on epigenomic reprogramming of the Schwann cell genome has emerged. Characterization of epigenomic requirements for myelin maintenance and Schwann cell responses to injury will be vital in understanding how the various Schwann cell functions can be optimized to maintain and repair peripheral nerve function.

scholarly journals Nogo-C Inhibits Peripheral Nerve Regeneration by Regulating Schwann Cell Apoptosis and Dedifferentiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Jia ◽  
Wei Huang ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Peng Zhang ◽  
Zhiwei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sciatic Nerve ◽  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Nerve Regeneration ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Regeneration ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Cell Dedifferentiation

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.

scholarly journals Betacellulin Regulates Peripheral Nerve Regeneration by Affecting Schwann Cell Migration and Axon Elongation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaxian Wang ◽  
Fuchao Zhang ◽  
Yunsong Zhang ◽  
Qi Shan ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Injury ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Axon Elongation ◽  
Schwann Cell Migration

Abstract Background Growth factors execute essential biological functions and affect various physiological and pathological processes, including peripheral nerve injury and regeneration. Our previous sequencing analysis found that betacellulin (Btc), an epidermal growth factor protein family member, showed elevated mRNA expressions in the nerve segment after rat peripheral nerve injury, implying the potential involvement of Btc during peripheral nerve repair. Methods Expression of Btc was examined in Schwann cells. The role of Btc in regulating Schwann cells was investigated by transfecting cultured cells with siRNA segment against Btc or exposed cultured cells with Btc recombinant protein, respectively. The biological functions of Schwann cell-secreted Btc on neurons were also determined. Moreover, the in vivo effect of Btc on Schwann cell migration and axon elongation after rat sciatic nerve injury were further evaluated.Results Immunostaining images and ELISA readings showed Btc was present in and secreted by Schwann cells. Transwell migration and wound healing observations showed that siRNA against Btc impeded Schwann cell migration while exogenous Btc advanced Schwann cell migration. Besides the regulating effect on Schwann cell phenotype, Btc secreted by Schwann cells might influence neuron behavior and affect axon length. In vivo evidence showed that Btc enhanced axonal regrowth and nerve regeneration after both rat sciatic nerve crush injury and transection injury. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated Btc-mediated Schwann cell-axon interactions, revealed the essential roles of Btc on Schwann cell migration and axon elongation, and implied the potential application of Btc as a regenerative strategy for treating peripheral nerve injury.

scholarly journals Leukemia inhibitory factor regulates Schwann cell proliferation and migration and affects peripheral nerve regeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianqian Chen ◽  
Qianyan Liu ◽  
Yunsong Zhang ◽  
Shiying Li ◽  
Sheng Yi
Keyword(s):  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Nerve Regeneration ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Peripheral Nerves ◽  
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Regeneration ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Proliferation And Migration

AbstractLeukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that stimulates neuronal development and survival. Our previous study has demonstrated that LIF mRNA is dysregulated in the peripheral nerve segments after nerve injury. Here, we show that LIF protein is abundantly expressed in Schwann cells after rat sciatic nerve injury. Functionally, suppressed or elevated LIF increases or decreases the proliferation rate and migration ability of Schwann cells, respectively. Morphological observations demonstrate that in vivo application of siRNA against LIF after peripheral nerve injury promotes Schwann cell migration and proliferation, axon elongation, and myelin formation. Electrophysiological and behavior assessments disclose that knockdown of LIF benefits the function recovery of injured peripheral nerves. Differentially expressed LIF affects the metabolism of Schwann cells and negatively regulates ERFE (Erythroferrone). Collectively, our observations reveal the essential roles for LIF in regulating the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells and the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves, discover ERFE as a downstream effector of LIF, and extend our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying peripheral nerve regeneration.

scholarly journals Matrix metalloproteinase 7 promoted Schwann cell migration and myelination after rat sciatic nerve injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongkui Wang ◽  
Ping Zhang ◽  
Jun Yu ◽  
Fuchao Zhang ◽  
Wenzhao Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Sciatic Nerve ◽  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Nerve Regeneration ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Regeneration ◽  
Schwann Cell Migration

AbstractSchwann cells experience de-differentiation, proliferation, migration, re-differentiation and myelination, and participate in the repair and regeneration of injured peripheral nerves. Our previous sequencing analysis suggested that the gene expression level of matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7), a Schwann cell-secreted proteolytic enzyme, was robustly elevated in rat sciatic nerve segments after nerve injury. However, the biological roles of MMP7 are poorly understood. Here, we exposed primary cultured Schwann cells with MMP7 recombinant protein and transfected siRNA against MMP7 into Schwann cells to examine the effect of exogenous and endogenous MMP7. Meanwhile, the effects of MMP7 in nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve crush in vivo were observed. Furthermore, RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of Schwann cells were conducted to show the molecular mechanism behind the phenomenon. In vitro studies showed that MMP7 significantly elevated the migration rate of Schwann cells but did not affect the proliferation rate of Schwann cells. In vivo studies demonstrated that increased level of MMP7 contributed to Schwann cell migration and myelin sheaths formation after peripheral nerve injury. MMP7-mediated genetic changes were revealed by sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Taken together, our current study demonstrated the promoting effect of MMP7 on Schwann cell migration and peripheral nerve regeneration, benefited the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying peripheral nerve injury, and thus might facilitate the treatment of peripheral nerve regeneration in clinic.

scholarly journals Perspective on Schwann Cells Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Peripheral Nerve Tissue Engineering

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2497
Author(s):  
Zhong Huang ◽  
Rebecca Powell ◽  
James B. Phillips ◽  
Kirsten Haastert-Talini
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Injury ◽  
Induced Pluripotent

Schwann cells play a crucial role in successful peripheral nerve repair and regeneration by supporting both axonal growth and myelination. Schwann cells are therefore a feasible option for cell therapy treatment of peripheral nerve injury. However, sourcing human Schwann cells at quantities required for development beyond research is challenging. Due to their availability, rapid in vitro expansion, survival, and integration within the host tissue, stem cells have attracted considerable attention as candidate cell therapies. Among them, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with the associated prospects for personalized treatment are a promising therapy to take the leap from bench to bedside. In this critical review, we firstly focus on the current knowledge of the Schwann cell phenotype in regard to peripheral nerve injury, including crosstalk with the immune system during peripheral nerve regeneration. Then, we review iPSC to Schwann cell derivation protocols and the results from recent in vitro and in vivo studies. We finally conclude with some prospects for the use of iPSCs in clinical settings.

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 Betacellulin regulates peripheral nerve regeneration by affecting Schwann cell migration and axon elongation

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaxian Wang ◽  
Fuchao Zhang ◽  
Yunsong Zhang ◽  
Qi Shan ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Sciatic Nerve ◽  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Nerve Regeneration ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Axon Elongation ◽  
Rat Sciatic Nerve ◽  
Schwann Cell Migration

Abstract Background Growth factors execute essential biological functions and affect various physiological and pathological processes, including peripheral nerve repair and regeneration. Our previous sequencing data showed that the mRNA coding for betacellulin (Btc), an epidermal growth factor protein family member, was up-regulated in rat sciatic nerve segment after nerve injury, implying the potential involvement of Btc during peripheral nerve regeneration. Methods Expression of Btc was examined in Schwann cells by immunostaining. The function of Btc in regulating Schwann cells was investigated by transfecting cultured cells with siRNA segment against Btc or treating cells with Btc recombinant protein. The influence of Schwann cell-secreted Btc on neurons was determined using a co-culture assay. The in vivo effects of Btc on Schwann cell migration and axon elongation after rat sciatic nerve injury were further evaluated. Results Immunostaining images and ELISA outcomes indicated that Btc was present in and secreted by Schwann cells. Transwell migration and wound healing observations showed that transfection with siRNA against Btc impeded Schwann cell migration while application of exogenous Btc advanced Schwann cell migration. Besides the regulating effect on Schwann cell phenotype, Btc secreted by Schwann cells influenced neuron behavior and increased neurite length. In vivo evidence supported the promoting role of Btc in nerve regeneration after both rat sciatic nerve crush injury and transection injury. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate the essential roles of Btc on Schwann cell migration and axon elongation and imply the potential application of Btc as a regenerative strategy for treating peripheral nerve injury.

Increasing Calcium Level Limits Schwann Cell Numbers In Vitro following Peripheral Nerve Injury

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (06) ◽  
pp. 435-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Yang ◽  
Yuhui Yan ◽  
Lin-Ling Zhang ◽  
Michael Agresti ◽  
Hani Matloub ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Normal Control ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Injury ◽  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
High Calcium

Background After peripheral nerve injury, there is an increase in calcium concentration in the injured nerves. Our previous publications have shown that increase in calcium concentration correlated well with degree of nerve injury and that local infusion of calcitonin has a beneficial effect on nerve recovery. Schwann cells play a pivotal role in regeneration and recovery. We aim to examine cultured Schwann cell survivals in various concentrations of calcium-containing growth media and the effect of calcitonin in such media. Methods To establish baseline in postinjury state, crush injury was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats' sciatic nerves. Extra- and intraneural calcium concentrations were measured. To study Schwann cell survival, uninjured sciatic nerve segment was harvested and cultured in media containing various amounts of calcium. To study the effect of calcitonin, nerve harvest and culture were done in four additional media: (1) normal control, (2) normal control with calcitonin, (3) high calcium medium, and (4) high calcium medium with calcitonin. Schwann cells were studied and analyzed under fluorescent conditions. Results With increasing calcium concentration, there was a significant decrease in the number of Schwann cells. For the experimental groups, in which calcitonin had been added to the growth medium, there were similar amounts of Schwann cells present in both high and low calcium-containing medium. Conclusion Schwann cells are sensitive to increasing calcium concentration. Calcitonin counteracts the detrimental effects of high calcium on Schwann cell survival. This can have significant future clinical implications for patients with peripheral nerve injuries.

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.

scholarly journals Lessons from Injury: How Nerve Injury Studies Reveal Basic Biological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities for Peripheral Nerve Diseases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Arthur-Farraj ◽  
Michael P. Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Peripheral Nerves ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Axon Degeneration ◽  
Axon Loss ◽  
Factor C ◽  
Inherited Neuropathies

AbstractSince Waller and Cajal in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, laboratory traumatic peripheral nerve injury studies have provided great insight into cellular and molecular mechanisms governing axon degeneration and the responses of Schwann cells, the major glial cell type of peripheral nerves. It is now evident that pathways underlying injury-induced axon degeneration and the Schwann cell injury-specific state, the repair Schwann cell, are relevant to many inherited and acquired disorders of peripheral nerves. This review provides a timely update on the molecular understanding of axon degeneration and formation of the repair Schwann cell. We discuss how nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2 (NMNAT2) and sterile alpha TIR motif containing protein 1 (SARM1) are required for axon survival and degeneration, respectively, how transcription factor c-JUN is essential for the Schwann cell response to nerve injury and what each tells us about disease mechanisms and potential therapies. Human genetic association with NMNAT2 and SARM1 strongly suggests aberrant activation of programmed axon death in polyneuropathies and motor neuron disorders, respectively, and animal studies suggest wider involvement including in chemotherapy-induced and diabetic neuropathies. In repair Schwann cells, cJUN is aberrantly expressed in a wide variety of human acquired and inherited neuropathies. Animal models suggest it limits axon loss in both genetic and traumatic neuropathies, whereas in contrast, Schwann cell secreted Neuregulin-1 type 1 drives onion bulb pathology in CMT1A. Finally, we discuss opportunities for drug-based and gene therapies to prevent axon loss or manipulate the repair Schwann cell state to treat acquired and inherited neuropathies and neuronopathies.

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