Do Schwann cells produce collagen type III?

Summary The fact that collagen from both normal nerve endoneurium and Schwann cell tumours present characteristics of collagen type III, suggests that Schwann cells produce this type of collagen.     

Glial versus melanocyte cell fate choice: Schwann cell precursors as a cellular origin of melanocytes

Melanocytes and Schwann cells are derived from the multipotent population of neural crest cells. Although both cell types were thought to be generated through completely distinct pathways and molecular processes, a recent study has revealed that these different cell types are intimately interconnected far beyond previously postulated limits in that they share a common post-neural crest progenitor, i.e. the Schwann cell precursor. This finding raises interesting questions about the lineage relationships of hitherto unrelated cell types such as melanocytes and Schwann cells, and may provide clinical insights into mechanisms of pigmentation disorders and for cancer involving Schwann cells and melanocytes.     

Effect of olfactory ensheathing cells on reactive astrocytes <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Olfactory ensheathing cells have been used in several studies to promote repair in the injured spinal cord. However, cellular interaction between olfactory ensheathing cells and glial cells induced to be reactive in the aftermath of injury site has not been investigated. Using an in vitro model of astrogliosis, we show that reactive astrocytes expressed significantly less glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) when cultured both in direct contact with olfactory ensheathing cells and when the two cell types were separated by a porous membrane. Immunofluorescence staining also suggested that reactive astrocytes showed decreased chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the presence of olfactory ensheathing cells, although the reduction was not statistically significant. No down-regulation of GFAP was observed when reactive astrocytes were similarly cultured with Schwann cells. Cell viability assay and bromodeoxyuridine uptake showed that proliferation of reactive astrocytes was significantly increased in the presence of olfactory ensheathing cells and Schwann cells. Received 27 February 2007; received after revision 30 March 2007; accepted 3 April 2007     

The processing and presentation of endogenous and exogenous antigen by Schwann cells in vitro

The expression of major histocomatibility complex class II in vitro and in vivo by Schwann cells indicates a potential facultative role of Schwann cells in the presentation of antigen to neuritogenic T cells during inflammatory demyelinating neuropathies. Using a T cell proliferation assay, this study demonstrated that processing and presentation of endogenous and exogenous antigen by Schwann cells influences T cell proliferation. Statistical analysis of proliferation and its relation to processing and presentation of antigen by Schwann cells had not been previously addressed. Different combinations of factors including treatment of cultures (untreated, irradiated or fixed), concentration of exogenous antigen (0 or 40 μmg/ml), the presence of interferon-γ and the timing of exogenous antigen addition influence the proliferation P₂-specific, non-mammalian protein ovalbumin-specific T cell lines and naive T cells. Received 25 July 2002; received after revision 9 September 2002; accepted 7 October 2002     

Histochemical evidence for the presence of dipeptidylpeptidase IV in the Schwann cells of skin unmyelinated axons

DPP IV activity was localized in the nerve fascicles of cat glabrous skin at light and electron microscope levels. The observation that the DPP IV end product was restricted to the axon-Schwann cell interface suggests that this enzyme may be involved in the interactions between unmyelinated axons and their Schwann cells.     

Histochemical evidence for the presence of dipeptidylpeptidase IV in the Schwann cells of skin uymyelinated axons

Summary DPP IV activity was localized in the nerve fascicles of cat glabrous skin at light and electron microscope levels. The observation that the DPP IV end product was restricted to the axon-Schwann cell interface suggests that this enzyme may be involved in the interactions between unmyelinated axons and their Schwann cells.17 November 1986     

Satellite cells in denervated muscles.

It is known that, in a denervated striated muscle, the satellite cells multiply by mitotic division. A liaison between these satellite cells and the Schwann cell in front of the post-synaptic membrane in denervated frog muscle has been observed. It is probable that such cell connections help in the subsistence of the Schwann cell in a denervated muscle.     

Satellite cells in denervated muscles

Summary It is known that, in a denervated striated muscle, the satellite cells multiply by mitotic division. A liaison between these satellite cells and the Schwann cell in front of the post-synaptic membrane in denervated frog muscle has been observed. It is probable that such cell connections help in the subsistence of the Schwann cell in a denervated muscle.     

How Schwann cells facilitate cancer progression in nerves

Recent studies have demonstrated a critical role for nerves in enabling tumor progression. The association of nerves with cancer cells is well established for a variety of malignant tumors, including pancreatic, prostate and the head and neck cancers. This association is often correlated with poor prognosis. A strong partnership between cancer cells and nerve cells leads to both cancer progression and expansion of the nerve network. This relationship is supported by molecular pathways related to nerve growth and repair. Peripheral nerves form complex tumor microenvironments, which are made of several cell types including Schwann cells. Recent studies have revealed that Schwann cells enable cancer progression by adopting a de-differentiated phenotype, similar to the Schwann cell response to nerve trauma. A detailed understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the regulation of cancer progression by the nerves is essential to design strategies to inhibit tumor progression.     

Behaviour of the prolyl hydroxylase to collagen synthesis in KB cells]

KB cells, which synthetized collagen at a low rate, shown a prolyl hydroxylase activity at the same rate that fibroblast. The relationship between collagen synthesis and prolyl hydroxylase activity in these cells was discussed.     

Endothelial nerve fibres in the cornea of the frogRana ridibunda

Summary The ultrastructural study of the frog cornea revealed the existence of intraendothelial nerve fibres. These nerve fibres are unmyelinated elements but surrounded by cytoplasmic lamellae of Schwann cells.Supported by D.C.I.N.P. Grant 78-77.     

Effects of isaxonine phosphate and analogs on fibroblast metabolism in culture

Human skin fibroblasts in confluent cultures were incubated for 24 h in the presence of isaxonine phosphate (Nerfactor) and several related factors. The incorporation of 14C-proline into secreted proteins and the release of collagen into the medium were inhibited. When the cells were incubated for an additional period of 24 h after thorough washing, protein and collagen syntheses were found to be identical to those of controls, demonstrating that the inhibition of protein synthesis was independent of any toxic effect. When cells were incubated in the presence of both isaxonine and colchicine, the secretion of collagen was more inhibited than by colchicine alone, and proteins accumulated in the cells.     

Ultrastructural changes in the dorsal root ganglia evoked by thalidomide in rabbits.

Administration of the teratogenic drug thalidomide to pregnant does produces ultrastructural changes in foetal ganglion cells, Schwann cells and axons in the posterior root ganglia corresponding to forelimb segments deformed by the orug. Ultrastructural changes in ganglia appear on the 13th day of gestation, i.e., preceding the appearance of limb malformation.     

Effects of isaxonine phosphate and analogs on fibroblast metabolism in culture

Summary Human skin fibroblasts in confluent cultures were incubated for 24 h in the presence of isaxonine phosphate (Nerfactor) and several related factors. The incorporation of¹⁴C-proline into secreted proteins and the release of collagen into the medium were inhibited. When the cells incubated for an additional period of 24 h after thorough washing, protein and collagen syntheses were found to be identical to those of controls, demonstrating that the inhibition of protein synthesis was independent of any toxic effect. When cells were incubated in the presence of both isaxonine and colchicine, the secretion of collagen was more inhibited than by colchicine alone, and proteins accumulated in the cells.     

Role of grafted Schwann cells in the regeneration of intraspinal nerve fibers when peripheral nerve, skeletal muscle or submandibular gland fragments are transplanted into the spinal cord of the mouse

Small pieces of peripheral nerve, skeletal muscle or submandibular gland, taken from young or new-born mice, were grafted into the non-transected spinal cord of young albino mice, at the thoracic level, through a punctiform meningeal opening. Neighbouring intraspinal nerve fibres, severed during the grafting process, regenerate into and eventually throughout the transplants. In this regenerative process, sedentary or migrating Schwann cells of the transplants probably have a prominent influence in guiding the growth of the axonal sprouts they ensheathe and eventually myelinate.     

Role of extracellular matrix molecules in the development of the sodium current in quail mesencephalic neural crest cells

The occurrence of the voltage-dependent sodium current has been studied in developing neurons from quail mesencephalic neural crest on different substrates, using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Explants from 9–12 somite embryos were cultured on dishes coated with type I collagen, fibronectin, laminin or on plastic dishes in a chemically defined medium. After 18 h of culture the sodium current was observed in 70% of the neurons tested, and at 24 h some of these neurons were able to generate an action potential. After 18–25 h cells grown on fibronectinor collagen I-coated dishes showed a significantly higher occurrence of the sodium current (83% and 84% respectively) as compared to cells grown on uncoated plastic dishes (51%). Moreover, in the presence of fibronectin, the current density of the sodium current was more than doubled in comparison with cells grown on other substrates.     

The growth of human fibroblasts and A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells on gamma-irradiated human amnion collagen substrata

Human fibroblasts and A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells were cultured on gamma-irradiated human amnion collagen as well as on plastic dishes and non-irradiated collagen coated dishes. The morphology, attachment, growth and short-term cytotoxicity of these culture conditions have been determined. Both irradiated and non-irradiated amnion collagen enhanced the attachment and proliferation of fibroblasts as compared to the plastic dishes. No differences in these properties were observed for A431 cells cultured on irradiated collagen when compared with culture on non-irradiated collagen substrates. Cytotoxicity assays showed that irradiated and non-irradiated collagens were not cytotoxic for either fibroblasts or A431 cells. The results demonstrated that amnion collagen irradiated at doses of 0.25-2.0 Mrads is optimal for cell growth.     

The migration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons from the medial alfactory placode into the medial basal forebrain

Summary Over the years, investigators have noticed, in a wide variety of species of vertebrates, large numbers of cells migrating from the olfactory placode to the forebrain. These cells were considered to be Schwann cells or ganglion cells of the terminalis nerve. Recently, immunocytochemical localization studies have shown that many of these migrating cells contain luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), a brain peptide that regulates reproductive functions by evoking the release of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary gland. The origin of LHRH cells in the epithelium of the medial olfactory placode, their migration across the nasal septum and into the forebrain, with branches of the terminalis nerve, also a derivative of the medial part of the olfactory placode, has led to some interesting speculations, from evolutionary and physiological perspectives, about the origin of these cells and the role of the terminalis nerve in their migration.     

The migration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons from the medial olfactory placode into the medial basal forebrain

Over the years, investigators have noticed, in a wide variety of species of vertebrates, large numbers of cells migrating from the olfactory placode to the forebrain. These cells were considered to be Schwann cells or ganglion cells of the terminalis nerve. Recently, immunocytochemical localization studies have shown that many of these migrating cells contain luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), a brain peptide that regulates reproductive functions by evoking the release of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary gland. The origin of LHRH cells in the epithelium of the medial olfactory placode, their migration across the nasal septum and into the forebrain, with branches of the terminalis nerve, also a derivative of the medial part of the olfactory placode, has led to some interesting speculations, from evolutionary and physiological perspectives, about the origin of these cells and the role of the terminalis nerve in their migration.     

Ultrastructural changes in the dorsal root ganglia evoked by thalidomide in rabbits

Summary Administration of the teratogenic drug thalidomide to pregnant does produces ultrastructural changes in foetal ganglion cells, Schwann cells and axons in the posterior root ganglia corresponding to forelimb segments deformed by the drug. Ultrasttructural changes in ganglia appear on the 13th day of gestation, i.e., preceding the appearance of limb malformation.This work was supported by a grant from Foundation 41.We are grateful to MissC. Ellis and Mr.P. Westphal for technical assistance.