Schwann cells: Rescuers of central demyelination

Abstract

The presence of peripheral myelinating cells in the central nervous system (CNS) has gained the neurobiologist attention over the years. Despite the confirmed presence of Schwann cells in the CNS in pathological conditions, and the long list of their beneficial effects on central remyelination, the cues that impede or allow Schwann cells to successfully conquer and remyelinate central axons remain partially undiscovered. A better knowledge of these factors stand out as crucial to foresee a rational therapeutic approach for the use of Schwann cells in CNS repair. Here, we review the diverse origins of Schwann cells into the CNS, both peripheral and central, as well as the CNS components that inhibit Schwann survival and migration into the central parenchyma. Namely, we analyze the astrocyte-and the myelin-derived components that restrict Schwann cells into the CNS. Finally, we highlight the unveiled mode of invasion of these peripheral cells through the central environment, using blood vessels as scaffolds to pave their ways towards demyelinated lesions. In short, this review presents the so far uncovered knowledge of this complex CNS-peripheral nervous system (PNS) relationship.

Double‐edged effects of tamoxifen‐in‐oil‐gavage on an infectious murine model for multiple sclerosis

“…Thus, the negative effect of tamoxifen on Schwann cell‐derived remyelination might be secondary to the positive effect on oligodendrocytes and OPCs. Further, Schwann cell‐derived remyelination is highly influenced by prevention of migration as well as inhibition of differentiation in favor of oligodendrocytes by reactive astrocytes ( 70 ). The present results show that in TMEV‐IDD, the phenotype of astrocytes is influenced in the progression of lesions, but not by TOG application.…”

Electrohydrodynamic Printing of Microfibrous Architectures with Cell‐Scale Spacing for Improved Cellular Migration and Neurite Outgrowth

“…Besides the growth of neurites, the synchronous migration of SCs is also crucial for the repair of peripheral nerve injury. [43][44][45][46] The migration of SCs from the DRG spheres along the direction of fibers and the aligned neurites after culturing for 7 days on the microfibrous architectures with different fiber spacings were characterized as shown in Figure 7. SCs derived from the DRG spheres were found to tightly attach and wrap around the regenerated neurites in a linear end-toend manner.…”

Schwann Cell Cultures: Biology, Technology and Therapeutics

“…Many preclinical studies have shown that SCs obtained via in vitro culture methods form a bridge across a lesion site, recruit endogenous SCs, promote axon growth and sparing, and provide a new myelin sheath to regenerated and demyelinated axons in the PNS [ 16 , 120 , 121 ] and CNS [ 10 , 14 , 118 ]. SCs do not naturally reside in the CNS but cells with SC characteristics can be found within traumatic and demyelinating lesions in the brain and the spinal cord [ 122 ].…”

“…For instance, SCs can be isolated from assorted mouse models [ 13 ] and transgenic animals expressing gene reporters. In this way, researchers have been able to compare cell behavior in vitro and in vivo, and trace the fate of transplanted SCs to grasp the associated mechanisms of repair, migration and myelination in central and peripheral nerve lesions [ 10 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. A particular advantage of SCs is that it is possible to manufacture them at a large scale from human autologous tissues following guidelines compatible with safe manufacturing practices, which has made it possible to re-implant cultured SCs for therapeutic benefit in human patients [ 17 ].…”