scholarly journals Incorporation of newly formed lecithin into peripheral nerve myelin.

1976 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 480-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
R M Gould ◽  
R M Dawson

Radioactive choline was used to study the metabolism and movement of choline-containing phospholipids in peripheral nerve myelin of adult mice. Incorporation at various times after intraperitoneal injection was measured in serial segments of sciatic nerve as well as in myelin isolated from those segments. At no time (1 h to 35 days) could a proximal-distal difference in the extent of labeling be demonstrated. This finding suggests that incorporation of precursor choline phospholipids into nerve membranes is a local event, with little contribution from the neuronal perikaryon via axoplasmic transport. Autoradiographic investigations were undertaken to elucidate the pattern of movement of radioactive choline-labeled phospholipids, predominantly lecithin, into the myelin sheaths of the sciatic nerve. A sequence of autoradiographs was prepared from animals sacrificed between 20 min and 35 days after a microinjection of precursor directly into the nerve. Analysis of these autoradiograms revealed that labeling is initially concentrated in the Schwann cell cytoplasm. Later, the label moves first into the outer regions of the myelin sheaths and is eventually distributed evenly throughout the inner and outer layers of the sheath. At no time is there a build-up of label in the axon. The rate of uptake of precursor and subsequent redistribution of lecithin into the myelin were also examined in frog sciatic nerve (18 degrees C). Both uptake and redistribution processes were considerably slower in the cold-blooded animal.

1977 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 326-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
R M Gould

Peripheral nerve myelin contains a dominant low molecular weight glycoprotein called Po. To study the metabolism of this glycoprotein, tritiated fucose was injected into the peripheral nerves of adult mice and developing rats, and the temporal distribution of label was examined by autoradiography and gel electrophoresis. Mice and rat pups, injected with fucose, were sacrificed from 1 h to 98 days later. Series of autoradiographs were prepared. At the shortest labeling periods, newly formed product was confined to juxtanuclear Schwann cell cytoplasm, in association with regions rich in Golgi apparatus. After longer labeling periods, silver grain levels in Schwann cell cytoplasm decreased; concomitantly, there was an increase of silver grains associated with myelin. In adult animals, label associated with myelin was concentrated over outer layers of thickly myelinated fibers. Even at the longest time intervals examined (72 and 98 days), this distribution of label was largely retained. In contrast, in developing animals, label became associated with inner layers of the thicker sheaths. At no time was label observed over axons. Gel electrophoresis revealed that tritiated fucose was a suitable precursor for the faster migrating peripheral nerve glycoprotein(s). At all times examined, there was a single major peak of radioactivity that co-migrated on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) acrylamide gels with the Po protein. Sometimes, a faster migrating shoulder of radioactivity was noted. With increased labeling periods, there was an enrichment of radioactivity associated with Po, indicative of a relatively slow turnover rate.


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.


Author(s):  
Roy O. Weller

The length of axon that each Schwann cell myelinates in a normal peripheral nerve is approximately proportional to the diameter of the axon and the thickness of the myelin sheath produced. When segmental demyelination occurs, individual segments, represented by the length of axon covered by one Schwann cell, lose their myelin sheaths but the axons are preserved. This differs from Wallerian degeneration where myelin destruction occurs along the length of a nerve fibre following death of the axon.In experimental diphtheritic neuropathy, an acute segmental demyelinating disease, lysosomes accumulate within the Schwann cells prior to disruption of the myelin sheath; furthermore, the site of initial myelin breakdown appears to be closely related to the collections of lysosomes. The Schwann cell starts to form a new myelin sheath around the axon probably within a few hours of the destruction of the original myelin sheath, and while the latter is being catabolised within lysosomal vacuoles This stage of remyelination follows a similar course to primary myelination, so that the recovery stage is characterised by normal axons with either no myelin, or surrounded by sheaths that are very thin relative to the diameter of the axon.


1971 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 541-555
Author(s):  
SUSAN M. HALL ◽  
P. L. WILLIAMS

Two electron-dense tracers, ferritin and lanthanum, have been administered to peripheral nerve fibres, and their uptake has been studied ultrastructurally. It was found that the perineurium was an effective barrier to ferritin in vivo, and the tracer was subsequently injected sub-perineurially. Ferritin uptake over a 120-min period was confined to occasional phagocytic vesicles in perineurial and Schwann cells, and to the nodal gap substance and paranodal periaxonal space. No uptake was observed in the myelin sheath, incisural intraperiod line gap, or in the axoplasm. Soaking fibres in ferritin in vitro resulted in a more generalized cytoplasmic and axoplasmic uptake, although the myelin sheath and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures remained devoid of the tracer. Lanthanum nitrate, included in the fixative solution, delineated the patent incisural intraperiod line gap, and outlined the external surface of the terminal loops of nodal Schwann cell cytoplasm, and the paranodal Schwann cell-axolemmal junction. Unlike ferritin, La3+ penetrated the myelin sheath, being usually confined to the intraperiod line region of the outer lamellae, where it was associated with a widening of the lamellar unit, and an apparent splitting of the intraperiod line. The results are discussed with regard to distribution of extracellular space in peripheral nerve fibres.


2013 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 594-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fu-Chou Cheng ◽  
Meei-Ling Sheu ◽  
Hong-Lin Su ◽  
Ying-Ju Chen ◽  
Chun-Jung Chen ◽  
...  

Object Mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) from bone marrow involved in the process of peripheral nerve regeneration occurs mostly through deposits of CD34+ cells. Treadmill exercise, with either differing intensity or duration, has been shown to increase axon regeneration and sprouting, but the effect of mobilization of HPCs on peripheral nerve regeneration due to treadmill exercise has not yet been elucidated. Methods Peripheral nerve injury was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by crushing the left sciatic nerve using a vessel clamp. The animals were categorized into 2 groups: those with and without treadmill exercise (20 m/min for 60 minutes per day for 7 days). Cytospin and flow cytometry were used to determine bone marrow progenitor cell density and distribution. Neurobehavioral analysis, electrophysiological study, and regeneration marker expression were investigated at 1 and 3 weeks after exercise. The accumulation of HPCs, immune cells, and angiogenesis factors in injured nerves was determined. A separate chimeric mice study was conducted to assess CD34+ cell distribution according to treadmill exercise group. Results Treadmill exercise significantly promoted nerve regeneration. Increased Schwann cell proliferation, increased neurofilament expression, and decreased Schwann cell apoptosis were observed 7 days after treadmill exercise. Elevated expression of S100 and Luxol fast blue, as well as decreased numbers of vacuoles, were identified in the crushed nerve 3 weeks after treadmill exercise. Significantly increased numbers of mononuclear cells, particularly CD34+ cells, were induced in bone marrow after treadmill exercise. The deposition of CD34+ cells was abolished by bone marrow irradiation. In addition, deposits of CD34+ cells in crushed nerves paralleled the elevated expressions of von Willebrand factor, isolectin B4, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Conclusions Bone marrow HPCs, especially CD34+ cells, were able to be mobilized by low-intensity treadmill exercise, and this effect paralleled the significant expression of angiogenesis factors. Treadmill exercise stimulation of HPC mobilization during peripheral nerve regeneration could be used as a therapy in human beings.


1961 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 853-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Rosenbluth ◽  
Sanford L. Palay

The eighth cranial nerve ganglion consists of bipolar nerve cell bodies each occupying part of an internodal segment. The perikaryal sheaths range from a single layer of Schwann cell cytoplasm on the smallest cells to typical thick compact myelin on the largest. On most perikarya, the sheath displays an intermediate form, consisting of multiple layers of Schwann cell cytoplasm (loose myelin), or of loose and compact myelin continuous with each other. Internodes beyond the one containing the cell body bear only compact myelin. In loose myelin the thickness of each layer of Schwann cell cytoplasm is about 100 A. It may be much greater (∼ 3000 A) particularly in the outermost layers of the sheath, or the cytoplasm may thin and even disappear with formation of a major dense line. The cytoplasmic layers are separated from each other by a light zone, 40 to 200 A wide, which in its broader portions may contain an intermediate line. Desmosomes sometimes occur between lamellae. In addition to the usual organelles, the perikaryal cytoplasm contains granular and membranous inclusions. Large cells covered by compact myelin have a consistently higher concentration of neurofilaments, and some of the largest cells, in addition, show a reduced concentration of ribosomes. The functional significance and possible origins of perikaryal myelin sheaths are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv7-iv8
Author(s):  
Marie Srotyr ◽  
Liyam Laraba ◽  
Glenn M Harper ◽  
Charlotte Lespade ◽  
Evyn Woodhouse ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Our lab is interested in signals that trigger schwannoma tumour formation and we have previously shown that peripheral nerve injury triggers tumour formation in nerves with Schwann cell-specific loss of the Merlin (NF2) tumour suppressor. The Ras/Raf/MAPK/ERK pathway activity in myelinating Schwann cells is involved in nerve regeneration, causing demyelination and recruitment of inflammatory cells in areas of nerve damage, as well as dedifferentiation of myelinating Schwann cells into a repair-competent state. We have used a mouse model expressing a tamoxifen-inducible Raf-Kinase estrogen receptor fusion protein (Raf-TR) in myelinating Schwann cells of the PNS in either a control wild-type Merlin or Merlin-null background. This allows us to determine the effects of an injury-like signal in Schwann cells and its role in generating schwannoma tumour development. We present here a detailed analysis of the proliferation of Schwann cells within the nerve and morphological changes in PNS structure following Raf-TR activation. Method The P0-promotor driving the Raf-TR transgene is active in myelinating Schwann cells but inactive in the non-myelinating population, allowing specific targeting of the myelinating Schwann cell population. In addition to the Raf-TR gene, the mice exhibit a separate P0-promotor controlled Cre floxed NF2 gene which undergoes Cre-mediated recombinase at embryonic day 13.5 causing NF2 knockout in all developing Schwann cells. Mice aged between 4-6 weeks received intraperitoneal injections of either 2mg Tamoxifen or oil vehicle for 5 consecutive days and were then studied at either 10 or 21 days post-first injection. The peripheral nervous system of the mice was studied with fluorescent immuno-histochemistry staining, semithin sections and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on sciatic nerves and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Results Activation of the Ras/Raf/MAPK/ERK pathway in NF2 null Schwann cells led to higher rates of proliferation within sciatic nerves at 10d post-tamoxifen injections. At both 10d and 21d Raf-TR+ NF2-null mice sciatic nerve fascicles were visibly larger with significantly more cell bodies present than controls, however at 21d the rate of proliferation had reduced. In the DRG, proliferation was higher in Raf-TR+ NF2-null mice compared to controls, with proliferation remaining high at 21 days. Quantitative imaging of peripheral nerve semi-thins analysed to date showed no significant difference in the number of myelin rings present in the fascicles between different genotypes. Additionally, dual immuno-histochemistry staining with Myelin Basic Protein and EdU, markers for myelin and proliferation respectively, appeared to show proliferation in the non-myelinating Schwann cell population. Results from staining with other cell markers will also be presented, as well as a detailed analysis of nerve structure using TEM. Conclusion While developmental myelination of Merlin-null Schwann cells appears largely normal, the reaction of Merlin-null Schwann cells in the nerve to an injury signal (activation of the Raf-TR) is remarkably different from those of control nerves. The high levels of proliferation in Merlin-null Schwann cells may be indicative of a higher tumorigenesis potential. While the proliferation of Merlin-null cells does reduce over time in the sciatic nerve, further experiments are now testing whether there may be ongoing tumour growth at other locations in the nervous system that are associated with NF2 tumours in human patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Chen ◽  
Wenjie Guo ◽  
Liangzhi Xu ◽  
Wenjuan Li ◽  
Meng Cheng ◽  
...  

Estrogen induces oligodendrocyte remyelination in response to demyelination in the central nervous system. Our objective was to determine the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on Schwann cell function and peripheral nerve remyelination after injury. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were used to prepare the sciatic nerve transection injury model and were randomly categorized into control and E2 groups. To study myelination in vitro, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explant culture was prepared using 13.5-day-old mouse embryos. Primary Schwann cells were isolated from the sciatic nerves of 1- to 3-day-old Sprague–Dawley rats. Immunostaining for myelin basic protein (MBP) expression and toluidine blue staining for myelin sheaths demonstrated that E2 treatment accelerates early remyelination in the “nerve bridge” region between the proximal and distal stumps of the transection injury site in the mouse sciatic nerve. The 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation assay revealed that E2 promotes Schwann cell proliferation in the bridge region and in the primary culture, which is blocked using AKT inhibitor MK2206. The in vitro myelination in the DRG explant culture determined showed that the MBP expression in the E2-treated group is higher than that in the control group. These results show that E2 promotes Schwann cell proliferation and myelination depending on AKT activation.


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