Cell death in the Schwann cell lineage and its regulation by neuregulin.

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.93.17.9229
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:43:20Z
• Authors: D E Syroid; P R Maycox; P G Burrola; N Liu; D Wen; K F Lee; G Lemke; T J Kilpatrick
• Keywords: Neuregulin; Schwann cell; ERBB3; Neuroglia

The development of Schwann cells, the myelin-forming glial cells vertebrate peripheral nervous system, involves a neonatal phase proliferation in which migrate along and segregate newly formed axons. Withdrawal from cell cycle, around postnatal days 2-4 rodents, initiates terminal differentiation to myelinating state. During this time, number is subject stringent regulation such that within first week, axons attain one-to-one relationship characteristic mature nerve. mechanisms underly developmental control remain largely undefined. In report, we examine role apoptosis determination number. We find isolated day 3 rat sciatic nerve undergo vitro upon serum withdrawal death can be prevented by beta forms neuregulin (NRG-beta) but not fibroblast growth factor 2 or platelet-derived factors AA BB. This NRG-beta-mediated survival apparently transduced through an ErbB2/ErbB3 receptor heterodimer. also provide evidence developmentally regulated vivo. Together with other recent findings, these results suggest may play important access axonally derived NRG.