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C.S. Lobsiger, V. Taylor, U. Suter

The Early Life of a Schwann Cell

Schwann cells are the major glial population of the vertebrate peripheral nervous system. In the adult, they build a protecting sheath around neuronal processes and myelinate largecaliber axons. Already early in development, Schwann cells and neurons establish close contacts. Later development and the maintenance of peripheral nerves are crucially dependent on the controlled bidirectional dialogue between these two cell types. Several major phases can be distinguished in the life of a Schwann cell: determination, differentiation, and potentially myelination. The aim of this review is to summarize the molecular and cellular characteristics of the first steps in the life of a Schwann cell, the development from a multipotent neural crest cell to a differentiated Schwann cell.

Biological Chemistry, Walter de Gruyter

Print ISSN: 1431-6730
Volume: 383, 02/2002
Pages: 245 - 253

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