The role of Schwann cells in the development of human peripheral nerves. An electron microscopic study

Cd59 and inflammation regulate Schwann cell development

Efficient neurotransmission is essential for organism survival and is enhanced by myelination. However, the genes that regulate myelin and myelinating glial cell development have not been fully characterized. Data from our lab and others demonstrates that cd59, which encodes for a small GPI-anchored glycoprotein, is highly expressed in developing zebrafish, rodent, and human oligodendrocytes (OLs) and Schwann cells (SCs), and that patients with CD59 dysfunction develop neurological dysfunction during early childhood. Yet, the function of Cd59 in the developing nervous system is currently undefined. In this study, we demonstrate that cd59 is expressed in a subset of developing SCs. Using cd59 mutant zebrafish, we show that developing SCs proliferate excessively and nerves may have reduced myelin volume, altered myelin ultrastructure, and perturbed node of Ranvier assembly. Finally, we demonstrate that complement activity is elevated in cd59 mutants and that inhibiting inflammation restores SC proliferation, myelin volume, and nodes of Ranvier to wildtype levels. Together, this work identifies Cd59 and developmental inflammation as key players in myelinating glial cell development, highlighting the collaboration between glia and the innate immune system to ensure normal neural development.

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.

Regulating Axonal Responses to Injury: The Intersection between Signaling Pathways Involved in Axon Myelination and The Inhibition of Axon Regeneration

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), a multitude of intrinsic and extrinsic factors adversely affect the gene programs that govern the expression of regeneration-associated genes (RAGs) and the production of a diversity of extracellular matrix molecules (ECM). Insufficient RAG expression in the injured neuron and the presence of inhibitory ECM at the lesion, leads to structural alterations in the axon that perturb the growth machinery, or form an extraneous barrier to axonal regeneration, respectively. Here, the role of myelin, both intact and debris, in antagonizing axon regeneration has been the focus of numerous investigations. These studies have employed antagonizing antibodies and knockout animals to examine how the growth cone of the re-growing axon responds to the presence of myelin and myelin-associated inhibitors (MAIs) within the lesion environment and caudal spinal cord. However, less attention has been placed on how the myelination of the axon after SCI, whether by endogenous glia or exogenously implanted glia, may alter axon regeneration. Here, we examine the intersection between intracellular signaling pathways in neurons and glia that are involved in axon myelination and axon growth, to provide greater insight into how interrogating this complex network of molecular interactions may lead to new therapeutics targeting SCI.

Schwann cells induce cancer cell dispersion and invasion

Nerves enable cancer progression, as cancers have been shown to extend along nerves through the process of perineural invasion, which carries a poor prognosis. Furthermore, the innervation of some cancers promotes growth and metastases. It remains unclear, however, how nerves mechanistically contribute to cancer progression. Here, we demonstrated that Schwann cells promote cancer invasion through direct cancer cell contact. Histological evaluation of murine and human cancer specimens with perineural invasion uncovered a subpopulation of Schwann cells that associates with cancer cells. Coculture of cancer cells with dorsal root ganglion extracts revealed that Schwann cells direct cancer cells to migrate toward nerves and promote invasion in a contact-dependent manner. Upon contact, Schwann cells induced the formation of cancer cell protrusions in their direction and intercalated between the cancer cells, leading to cancer cell dispersion. The formation of these processes was dependent on Schwann cell expression of neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1) and ultimately promoted perineural invasion. Moreover, NCAM1-deficient mice showed decreased neural invasion and less paralysis. Such Schwann cell behavior reflects normal Schwann cell programs that are typically activated in nerve repair but are instead exploited by cancer cells to promote perineural invasion and cancer progression.

The 4C5 antigen is associated with Schwann cell migration during development and regeneration of the rat peripheral nervous system

The monoclonal antibody 4C5 recognizes a cell surface antigen of the developing central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). In vitro antibody perturbation experiments have shown that the 4C5 antigen is involved in horizontal and vertical migration processes of granule cells during development of the rodent cerebellum. Moreover, results concerning the cellular localization and temporal expression of the 4C5 antigen during development and after injury of the rat sciatic nerve suggested that it may participate in Schwann cell migrations that occur during the above processes. To test this possibility, we examined the effects of our function-blocking antibody on Schwann cell migration in three in vitro bioassays: in tissue cultures from developing sciatic nerve, in dorsal root ganglion cultures on cryostat sections of normal or denervated adult sciatic nerve, and in pure Schwann cell cultures. The results showed that the presence of monoclonal antibody 4C5 in all the above culture systems strongly inhibited Schwann cell migration, indicating that the 4C5 antigen participates in migration processes that take place during development and regeneration of the peripheral nervous system. Moreover, staining of migrating Schwann cells in the presence of monoclonal antibody 4C5 with rhodamine-phalloidin showed that 4C5 antigen activity is associated with actin cytoskeletal organization of these cells, and more specifically with lamellipodia formation.

Density dependent regulation of human Schwann cell proliferation

Cessation of division is prerequisite for Schwann cell differentiation but regulation of this critical function is poorly understood. Heregulin/forskolin-induced growth of human Schwann cells (HSCs) in vitro was found to be strongly regulated by cell density and thus could model some aspects of negative growth-regulation in vivo. To better understand this phenomenon, the production of an autocrine growth-inhibitor and the role of contact-inhibition were investigated. The possible involvement of two membrane proteins, contactinhibin (CI) and peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) in regulating growth was studied. Thymidine-labeling of HSCs on collagen-coated dishes was inhibited at cell densities less than one tenth of the density at maximal growth-inhibition. Medium from high density cultures did not inhibit the thymidine-labeling of HSCs at low density, a result that argues against the production of a soluble inhibitor. The expression of CI and PMP22 in nerve and HSCs, and the effect of a function-blocking antibody to CI on HSC growth, were determined. CI was detected in fresh nerve by western blotting, and could easily be detected by immunocytochemistry in cultured HSCs by five days and for several weeks thereafter. Twenty-four hour treatment with anti-CI antibody did not increase the thymidine-labeling of HSCs at any density but a significant increase in HSC number was observed in cultures treated with anti-CI for 20 days. This increase was not related to decreased cell death. PMP22, unlike other myelin proteins, was not down-regulated after nerve dissociation and by seven days nearly all HSCs were PMP22 positive. These results provide evidence for a contact-mediated mechanism of growth-regulation in HSCs and suggest that CI is involved in this mechanism.

Role of thyroid hormones and their receptors in peripheral nerve regeneration

After peripheral nerve injury in adult mammals, reestablishment of functional connections depends on several parameters including neurotrophic factors, the extracellular matrix, and hormones. However, little is known about the contribution of hormones to peripheral nerve regeneration. Thyroid hormones, which are required for the development and maturation of the central nervous system, are also important for the development of peripheral nerves. The action of triiodothyronine (T3) on responsive cells is mediated through nuclear thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) which modulate the expression of specific genes in target cells. Thus, to study the effect of T3, it is first necessary to know whether the target tissues possess TRs. The fact that sciatic nerve cells possess functional TRs suggests that these cells can respond to T3 and, as a consequence, that thyroid hormone may be involved in peripheral nerve regeneration. The silicone nerve guide model provides an excellent system to study the action of local administration of T3. Evidence from such studies demonstrate that animals treated locally with T3 at the level of transection have more complete regeneration of sciatic nerve and better functional recovery. Among the possible regulatory mechanisms by which T3 enhances peripheral nerve regeneration is rapid action on both axotomized neurons and Schwann cells which, in turn, produce a lasting and stimulatory effect on peripheral nerve regeneration. It is probable that T3 up- or down-regulates gene expression of one or more growth factors, extracellular matrix, or cell adhesion molecules, all of which stimulate peripheral nerve regeneration. This could explain the greater effect of T3 on nerve regeneration compared with the effect of any one growth factor or adhesion molecule.

Nerve growth factor and its low-affinity receptor promote Schwann cell migration

Migrating Schwann cells in developing or regenerating peripheral nerves are known to express dramatically increased levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and the low-affinity NGF receptor (LNGFR). Schwann cells do not express detectable pp140trk, the NGF-activated receptor tyrosine kinase which is essential for neuronal responses to NGF. The temporal correlation observed in Schwann cells between migration and the enhanced expression of NGF and LNGFR suggests that NGF and LNGFR may promote Schwann cell migration. To test this possibility, we examined the effects of NGF on Schwann cell migration on cryostat sections of biologically relevant NGF-poor and NGF-rich substrates--normal or denervated peripheral (sciatic) nerve, untreated or pretreated with NGF. Results show that Schwann cells migrate more rapidly on denervated than on normal sciatic nerve. Antibodies to NGF or to LNGFR strongly, but incompletely, inhibit enhanced migration on denervated nerves. Pretreatment of denervated nerve sections with NGF increases further the rate of Schwann cell migration. The same antibodies to NGF or to LNGFR abolish this response. These results suggest that one function of the elevated levels of NGF known to be present in embryonic and regenerating peripheral nerves is to promote the migration of Schwann cells. In contrast to neurons, where pp140trk appears to be the functionally critical NGF receptor, NGF responses in Schwann cells depend on LNGFR.

Expression and functional roles of neural cell surface molecules and extracellular matrix components during development and regeneration of peripheral nerves

By combining both immunocytochemical and functional investigations, a hypothetical framework will be developed for the molecular mechanisms underlying neuron-glia interactions during development and regeneration of peripheral nerves. In particular, the immunoglobulin-like molecules L1, N-CAM, MAG and P0, the extracellular matrix molecules laminin and tenascin, and the carbohydrates PSA and L2/HNK-1 will be considered. During early stages of limb bud innervation in embryos, L1 and N-CAM are expressed on axons and Schwann cells and are involved in axonal fasciculation, whereas tenascin is thought to be involved in forming a scaffold around the nerve possibly preventing axons and/or Schwann cells from leaving the nerve. PSA has been shown to be involved in pathway selection at initial stages of limb bud innervation. Later on, when motor axons enter muscles, the carbohydrates determine the branching pattern of the nerves. During myelination, L1 appears to play a pivotal role during the formation of the first Schwann cell loops around the prospective myelin-containing axons. MAG and P0 appear also to be functionally involved at initial stages of myelin formation. Additionally, MAG may contribute to the formation and maintenance of non-compacted myelin and axon-Schwann cell apposition whereas P0 is involved in myelin compaction. Under regenerative conditions, L1, N-CAM, laminin, and tenascin are strongly up-regulated by denervated Schwann cells. In vitro observations strongly suggest that these molecules might foster axonal regeneration. The carbohydrate PSA is confined to regrowing axons and is also a candidate to support axonal regrowth. L2/HNK-1, which is found on motor axon-associated Schwann cells, may provide regenerating motor axons with a selective advantage over others resulting in appropriate reinnervation of motor pathways. Since many of the functional studies this review refers to have been performed in vitro, some of the conclusions drawn need reexamination in vivo. Gene manipulations, such as the generation of null mutants followed by a thorough morphological and immunocytochemical investigation may be a powerful tool to resolve this problem.

Vagal nerve maturation in the fetal lamb: an ultrastructural and morphometric study

The maturation of the left vagal nerve was studied in the fetal lamb by transmission electron microscopy and by computer-assisted morphometry of sections of the entire nerve at seven gestational ages between 79 and 145 days (term is 147 days) and in the adult ewe. The number of unmyelinated axons per Schwann cell progressively decreased from 25 to 55 at 79 days to 1 to 5 at near-term. Unmyelinated axons of various sizes were enclosed within a single Schwann cell at all ages, but the mean axonal diameter increased in inverse relation to the number of unmyelinated axons. A few Schwann cells enclosed two myelinated axons, but in most instances myelination did not begin until a 1:1 ratio was achieved; some single axons with a Schwann cell remained unmyelinated in the adult. Myelinated fibers were rare at 79 days but myelination progressed rapidly thereafter until the adult ratio of myelinated: unmyelinated fibers was reached at about 100 days; myelinated axons were not uniformly distributed. The myelin sheaths and axons of small fibers progressively increased in diameter in late gestation, but new large fibers were not added. Early myelinating fibers and immature unmyelinated axons contained more microtubules than neurofilaments; neurofilaments predominated in mature axons with or without myelin. Cross-linkages between neurofilaments were already evident by 79 days. Maturation of the vagal nerve thus occurs first by an increase in number of myelinated fibers and then by an increase in the size of each fiber in this fixed population. The bimodal distribution in the size histogram of myelinated fibers is not achieved until 134 days gestation and correlates well with physiological maturation of respiratory patterns.

Basement membranes during development of human nerve: Schwann cells and perineurial cells display marked changes in their expression profiles for laminin subunits and beta 1 and beta 4 integrins

The formation of the connective tissue compartments of human sciatic and tibial nerves was studied with special reference to the maturation of the basement membranes during foetal development (11-35 weeks of gestation). All Schwann cells were surrounded by continuous basement membranes as early as at week 11, while the perineurial cells became covered by basement membranes gradually between weeks 17 and 35, as estimated by electron microscopy. The first laminin subunits detectable within the nerve were the B1, B2 and M chains. These laminin subunits were present in Schwann cell basement membrane zone at week 11, and in the perineurium at week 17 and later. Laminin A and S chains were first detected at 26 weeks in the perineurium, and at a later stage (35 weeks) on Schwann cells. In mature nerves, all these five laminin chains could be demonstrated in both Schwann cell and perineurial cell basement membrane zones, although A, S and B2 chains predominated in the perineurium, and M, B1 and B2 were the predominant chains in Schwann cell basement membranes. Beta 1 and beta 4 integrins were expressed by all Schwann cells in samples from the youngest foetuses (11-17 weeks). At 22-35 weeks, however, only a subpopulation of Schwann cells stained positively for beta 1 and beta 4 integrins. Perineurial cells expressed beta 1 integrins at all ages studied. Staining for beta 4 integrin in perineurium became detectable and intensified concomitant with the formation of structural basement membranes. The results demonstrate that Schwann cells and perineurial cells change their laminin and integrin expression profiles during the maturation of peripheral nerve.

Development of spiral ganglion cells in mammalian cochlea

The development of the spiral ganglion in the cat, the rat, and the mouse was studied by electron microscopy, from fetal stages in the cat and from birth in the rodent. In the earliest stages, a single population of ganglion cells is present. Immature spiral ganglion neurons possess small perisomatic processes that seem to disappear with development, before the myelination ganglion cells are surrounded by one or two layers of Schwann cell processes. With maturation, the Schwann process increases in number around the perikaryon and its processes, which leads to the onset of myelination. The onset of myelination of the cell body processes is asynchronous. The perikaryon may be delayed in myelination by several days. Moreover, ganglion neurons from a given region of the cochlea do not myelinate simultaneously. The differentiation of two types of fibers in the intraganglionic spiral bundle and the first appearance of TII neurons occurs around birth in the cat and a few days after birth for the rat and the mouse. The distinction of TII cells is possible due to characteristic accumulation of neurofilamentous structures in the cytoplasm.

Development of unmyelinated fibers in peripheral nerve--an immunohistochemical and electronmicroscopic study

The development of the unmyelinated fibers in the mouse sciatic nerve was studied with immunohistochemical and electronmicroscopic techniques. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunostaining showed fainty-positive cells in transverse sections on day 2. Staining intensity and numbers of stained cells increased with age and both reached the maximum around day 30. Immunoelectronmicroscopy for GFAP revealed that positive staining was confined to the cytoplasm of Schwann cells of the unmyelinated fibers. In contrast vimentin-immunoreactivity was detectable as early as day 0. Schwann cells of both myelinated and unmyelinated fibers were positive. Electronmicroscopic study showed that Schwann cell families contained both larger and smaller axons on day 0. By day 5 majority of the larger axons were separated from Schwann cell families, which then contained only smaller axons. Ensheathment of smaller axons by Schwann cell processes were completed around day 30. These results showed that GFAP was expressed in Schwann cells of the unmyelinated fibers along with the differentiation and maturation of the unmyelinated fibers.

Age changes in axon number along the cervical ventral spinal nerve roots in rats

Axon counts were made at two standardised levels of C7 ventral spinal nerve roots from 46 female rats representing nine ages between birth and 500 days. The objective was to provide a definitive account of proximodistal changes in axon numbers and of age changes in axon numbers both during postnatal development and at several stages during maturity. At each age there is a proximodistal increase in the numbers of axons in all categories examined (myelinated, promyelin, transitional, and fetal) between levels midway along the subarachnoid course of the root and where it is apposed to but separate from the dorsal root ganglion. During maturation and throughout maturity axon totals change similarly at both levels: After a slight increase immediately postnatum, they decline sharply between 4 and 20 days due to a marked loss of unmyelinated axons. A gradual decline in myelinated axon numbers continues to 500 days. While these changes are occurring, axon numbers in all categories show a proximodistal increase throughout. The magnitude of this increase lessens with age for all but the transitional category due to a preferential decrease in numbers distally. Though these observations do not differentiate between axon branching and looping of sensory axons into the ventral root as a cause of the proximodistal increase in numbers, they tend to support the former. At each age during maturation axon proportions at proximal and distal levels correspond well for each animal, indicating that axon segregation proceeds at related rates within each root. Age changes in axon proportions within the transitional and fetal categories indicate that the postnatal stage of axon segregation results from axon loss, rather than Schwann cell proliferation.

Varicosities in human fetal sciatic nerve fibres

A morphological study performed on sciatic nerves from 10 fetuses aged 19 to 32 weeks revealed variations in axonal diameter along the length of the fibres but a uniform myelin sheath thickness. This gave the fibres a beaded appearance. The diameter of the axon in the varicosities was up to seven-times greater than that of the intervening axon. The varicosities were separated by distances up to 50 microns. Both myelinated and single unmyelinated fibres had varicosities. Neurofilaments and neurotubules were more densely packed in the axons between the varicosities. The absolute number of filaments and tubules per axon was similar in axons with equal numbers of myelin lamellae but with different diameters, as calculated from transverse sections. The varicosities were observed in all fetuses aged 19 to 24 weeks, but in only one of the two fetuses aged 28 weeks. They were not present in the 32 week fetus. They appear to be a characteristic morphological feature of nerve fibres during early fetal life and can be identified only in teased fibre preparations or in longitudinal sections of the nerve. Their presence explains the bimodal or markedly skewed distribution of myelinated fibre axon diameters that was seen in nerves from young fetuses. It also helps in understanding the discrepancies reported in size patterns between axon diameter and myelin thickness. It is possible that the varicosities may be partially artefactual but their occurrence may imply a particular vulnerability of fetal nerve fibres. Their production may be related to movements of the axoplasmic fluid which is abundant in young fetuses.

Extracellular fluid conditioned during peripheral nerve regeneration stimulates Schwann cell adhesion, migration and proliferation

Schwann cell movement and proliferation occur during peripheral nerve regeneration and remyelination. We asked whether soluble factors promoting these activities were present in fluid surrounding rat sciatic nerves regenerating across a 10-mm gap bridged by a silicone tube. In this model, regenerated and remyelinated axons extend across the gap by 28 days following nerve transection and tube implantation. Fluid conditioned by cells participating in nerve regeneration (RCF) was assayed for its ability to promote Schwann cell adhesion, migration and proliferation in vitro. RCFs collected at post-transectional days 1-28 were equally effective in promoting Schwann cell-substratum adhesion. In contrast, the motility-promoting activity of RCF was minimal at 1-2 days following nerve-transection, peaked at 7 days and remained elevated through 21 days. The RCF peak response was 87-fold greater than control. Schwann cell proliferative activity of RCF exhibited peaks of activity at 1 and 14 days post-transection. The biological potency of this fluid for each activity assayed in vitro correlated well with the behavior of Schwann cells chronicled during nerve repair in vivo. These findings suggest that soluble factors promoting Schwann cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation accumulate extracellularly during peripheral nerve regeneration and remyelination.

Schwann cell responses during regeneration after one or more crush injuries to myelinated nerve fibres

The responses of Schwann cells during regeneration of myelinated nerve fibres were studied ultrastructurally in the distal segment of mouse phrenic nerve after a single or repeated localized crush injury. Chronological observations on nerves after a single crush confirmed the occurrence of myelination of only single regenerating axons among many that appeared in individual Büngner bands. The redundant axon sprouts often showed the structural features of degeneration and decreased in number with time. During the process, supernumerary Schwann cells not related to myelin formation were produced. They commonly failed not only to make a one-to-one relationship with an axon, but they also failed to acquire a new basal lamina of their own. With time, they showed shrinkage of their cytoplasm and became arranged circumferentially around the myelinating axon with unipolar or bipolar cytoplasmic processes. Electron microscopic, quantitative assessment of the nuclear population of Schwann cells following repeated crushes up to four times, clearly indicated a progressive and predominant increase in the number of the supernumerary Schwann cells with the number of crushes. Also, they were found to form separate concentric cytoplasmic lamellae around the myelinating axons, developing structures resembling onion-bulbs. It was concluded that essentially the same regenerating process as that observed after a single crush was repeated following re-crush, thereby resulting in the successive accumulation of supernumerary Schwann cells around a myelinating axon.

Ultrastructural and morphometric analysis of long-term peripheral nerve regeneration through silicone tubes

Light and electron microscopy were used to investigate long-term regeneration in peripheral nerves regenerating across a 10 mm gap through silicone tubes. Schwann cells and axons co-migrated behind an advancing front of fibroblasts, bridging the 10 mm gap between 28 and 35 days following nerve transection. Myelination of regenerated fibres started between 14 and 21 days after transection and occurred in a manner similar to that reported during development. Although these early events were successful in producing morphologically normal-appearing regenerated fibres, complete maturation of many of these fibres was never achieved. Axonal distortion by neurofilaments, axonal degeneration and secondary demyelination were seen at 56 days following nerve transection. These changes progressed in severity with time as more axons advanced through the distal stump towards their peripheral target. Since regeneration occurs in the absence of endoneurial tubes, and because constrictive forces act on the nerve during regeneration, we suggest that these extrinsic factors limit the successful advancement of axons through the distal stump to their target organ.

Differentiation of axon-related Schwann cells in vitro. I. Ascorbic acid regulates basal lamina assembly and myelin formation

Rat Schwann cells cultured with dorsal root ganglion neurons in a serum-free defined medium fail to ensheathe or myelinate axons or assemble basal laminae. Replacement of defined medium with medium that contains human placental serum (HPS) and chick embryo extract (EE) results in both basal lamina and myelin formation. In the present study, the individual effects of HPS and EE on basal lamina assembly and on myelin formation by Schwann cells cultured with neurons have been examined. Some batches of HPS were unable to promote myelin formation in the absence of EE, as assessed by quantitative evaluation of cultures stained with Sudan black; such HPS also failed to promote basal lamina assembly, as assessed by immunofluorescence using antibodies against laminin, type IV collagen, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan. The addition of EE or L-ascorbic acid with such HPS led to the formation of large quantities of myelin and to the assembly of basal laminae. Pretreatment of EE with ascorbic acid oxidase abolished the EE activity, whereas trypsin did not. Other batches of HPS were found to promote both basal lamina and myelin formation in the absence of either EE or ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid oxidase treatment or dialysis of these batches of HPS abolished their ability to promote Schwann cell differentiation, whereas the subsequent addition of ascorbic acid restored that ability. Ascorbic acid in the absence of serum was relatively ineffective in promoting either basal lamina or myelin formation. Fetal bovine serum was as effective as HPS in allowing ascorbic acid (and several analogs but not other reducing agents) to manifest its ability to promote Schwann cell differentiation. We suggest that ascorbic acid promotes Schwann cell myelin formation by enabling the Schwann cell to assemble a basal lamina, which is required for complete differentiation.

Morphometric studies of sural nerve in childhood

Sural nerve myelinated fiber density and myelinated fiber diameter distribution have been examined in 27 control subjects, ranging in age from 1 day to 59 years. Total transverse fascicular area was measured in 10 of the subjects. There is an exponential decline in myelinated fiber density from birth to adult life. The predicted normal density (D) at any age may be derived from the formula D = (1 X 10(3]/(0.0699 + 0.00725 square root t). The distribution of myelinated fiber diameters is unimodal in the first 4 months of life, and there is a definite bimodal distribution by 2 years of age. Total transverse fascicular area of sural nerve increases progressively from values of about 0.25 mm2 in the first week to about 0.82 mm2 at 9 years. Control values for sural nerve morphometry in childhood are essential for accurate interpretation of biopsies in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

A morphometric study of human fetal sural nerve

A morphometric study was performed on sural nerves from human fetuses at 15 to 36 weeks postovulation. There were no myelinated fibres at 15 and 16 weeks, but by 21 weeks there were 5,000/mm2, rising to 25,000/mm2 at 36 weeks. During the fetal period, the mean myelin lamellar count trebled and the g ratio (axon diameter: total fibre diameter) decreased from 0.90 to 0.75, although the axon diameter of myelinated fibres did not increase. The smallest myelinated axon diameter was 0.63 micron, whereas the largest unmyelinated axon in a 1:1 relationship with a Schwann cell was 2.83 micron, suggesting that axon size is unlikely to be the only stimulus for myelination. The density of unmyelinated axons that were the sole occupants of a Schwann cell fell considerably between 23 and 33 weeks, while the ratio of total unmyelinated axons to myelinated fibres decreased from 82:1 at 21 weeks to 6:1 at 36 weeks. Data for Schwann cell nuclear density and percentages of fibres cut through the nucleus are also presented.

Morphometric studies of normal sural nerves in children

Quantitative histologic studies of biopsies of normal sural nerves were performed on nine children aged 4 days to 17 years. Stereologic computerized procedures were used to determine total endoneurial area, size distribution and number of myelinated, unmyelinated fibers and Schwann cell nuclei per nerve and per square millimeter, and the ratio of myelin thickness to axonal diameter. There was an inverse linear relationship between the number of myelinated fibers per square millimeter and increasing age. A stronger correlation was found between the number of Schwann cell nuclei per nerve (P less than 0.01) and per square millimeter (P less than 0.001) and the logarithm of age. The slope of myelin thickness/axon diameter regression lines (P less than 0.001) changed with age in linear relationship (correlation coefficient: P less than 0.001). There were no age-dependent changes in the number and density of unmyelinated fibers, but the number of unmyelinated axons per Schwann cell subunit decreased with age. Size distribution histograms for myelinated fibers showed a unimodal profile in the newborn. A second peak at 6-7 micron appeared at age 3 months, shifting progressively to 9-11 micron at 14 years. The distribution of unmyelinated fibers was unimodal, with a peak around 0.8 micron, irrespective of age. There were marked individual variations in endoneurial area.

Interactions between intraspinal Schwann cells and the cellular constituents normally occurring in the spinal cord: an ultrastructural study in the irradiated rat

Relationships between intraspinal Schwann cells and neuroglia, particularly, astrocytes, were studied following X-irradiation of the spinal cord in 3-day-old rats. Initially, this exposure results in a depletion of the neuroglial population. By 10 days post-irradiation (P-I), gaps occur in the glia limitans, although the overlying basal lamina remains intact. Development of and myelination by intraspinal Schwann cells is well underway by 15 days P-I. These Schwann cell-occupied regions have a paucity of astrocyte processes, a finding which persists throughout the study (60 days P-I), and several types of Schwann cell-neuroglial interfaces are observed, including: (1) astrocyte separation of Schwann cells from oligodendrocyte-myelinated regions; (2) intermingling of Schwann cell-myelinated axons and oligodendrocyte-myelinated axons in the absence of astrocyte processes; and (3) ensheathment of unmyelinated axons by astrocyte processes which separate these axons from the Schwann cells. The gaps in the glia limitans widen as the P-I interval increases. At 45 and 60 days P-I, the basal lamina no longer forms a singular, continuous covering over the spinal cord surface, but follows instead a rather tortuous course over the disrupted glia limitans and the intraspinal Schwann cells. Although the mode of initial occurrence of Schwann cells within the spinal cord is not yet understood, the data indicate that the astrocyte population is involved in that process, as well as in limiting the further development of Schwann cells within the substance of the spinal cord.

Diagnostic aspect of spindle-cell sarcomas by electron microscopy

Spindle-cell sarcomas in the somatic soft tissue and soft parts, including fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), and malignant schwannoma were examined by electron microscopy in order to delineate the most reliable cellular features for their diagnosis. Fibrosarcoma consisted largely of fibroblastic cells and leiomyosarcoma cells were packed in forming small cell groups with constant junctional complexes of nexus and zonula adherens types. MFH showed variable cellular features containing the cells with myofibroblastic and histiocytic differentiation. Malignant schwannoma was characterized by tumor cells having slender cytoplasmic processes with overlapping or interdigitation and thick basement membrane. These ultrastructural features were contributory to the differential diagnosis of the sarcomas examined.

The central-peripheral transition zone of cervical spinal nerve roots in Jimpy mutant and normal mice. Light- and electron-microscopic study

Comparative morphological and ultrastructural investigations on the cervical dorsal and ventral central-peripheral transition zones (CPTZs) of Jimpys and control mice have been performed at early and advanced myelination stages. After postnatal development a characteristic cone-shaped glial outgrowth extends into the proximal part of the dorsal roots, while the ventral roots exhibit short Schwann cell and peripheral nervous tissue invaginations into the spinal cord at the ventral root-spinal cord junction in both animal groups. In Jimpys, although there is marked central myelin deficiency and absence of oligodendroglial development on the CNS side, the normal general aspect of the CPTZs is maintained. Previously postulated astrocytic and neuroaxonal abnormalities in the mutants do not alter the central-peripheral borderline, and Schwann cell migration from the spinal nerve roots into the cord does not occur.

Granular cell tumor arising in myelinated peripheral nerves. Light and electron microscopy and immunoperoxidase study

The histologic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of two granular cell tumors arising from the right recurrent laryngeal and left facial nerves are described. S-100 protein was detected both in the nuclei and cytoplasm of the granular cells using the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase method. The ultrastructural findings in both cases support a Schwann cell derivation of the granular cells. It is suggested that the granularity of cells of granular cell tumor may represent a lysosomal disorder affecting most frequently neoplastic and nonneoplastic Schwann cells and occasionally other cells.

Factors affecting schwann cell basal lamina formation in cultures of dorsal root ganglia from mice with muscular dystrophy

Pure populations of sensory neurons (N), Schwann cells (S) and fibroblasts (Fb) were established in culture from normal and dystrophic (dy) mice in order to investigate the cellular origin(s) of the peripheral nervous system abnormalities present in murine muscular dystrophy. These cell types were placed together in various combinations and their subsequent interactions were monitored with the light and electron microscope. The formation of the basal lamina (BL) which in normal tissue, completely surrounds the external aspect of the Schwann cell (when in contact with axons) was documented by morphometric analysis of electron micrographs. Defects in Schwann cell BL formation, observed throughout the PNS of the dy mouse in vivo, were used as a marker for the expression of the dystrophic abnormality in culture. Initially mature cultures of dy tissues containing only S and N (SN) without Fb were examined and found to contain an incomplete BL that surrounded only 82.8 +/- 12.2% of the externally directed plasmalemma of axon-related Schwann cells. The following recombination cultures were established: (1) normal S were placed on dystrophic N; (2) dystrophic S were placed on dystrophic N; (3) dystrophic S were placed on normal N; and (4) normal Fb were added to a dystrophic SN culture. After a 5-week period, the BL formed by normal S in direct contact with dystrophic N was thick and continuous (97.7 +/- 2.2 coverage). On the other hand, in culture situations (without Fb) containing dystrophic S in contact with either dystrophic or normal neurites, the BL coverage was considerably less (58.5 +/- 14.8% and 55.4 +/- 13.2%, respectively). The addition of normal Fb obtained from sciatic nerve explants to dystrophic SN cultures in time resulted in the formation of a morphologically complete BL (98.9 +/- 1.4% coverage). We conclude that neuronal signal(s) are adequate to induce complete BL formation by Schwann cells in the dystrophic tissue but that dystrophic Schwann cells are incapable of forming a complete BL. Furthermore, this deficiency of dy Schwann cells is apparently corrected by the presence of normal Fb by an unknown mechanism.

Morphological observations of peripheral nerves by the scanning electron microscope

In order to observe a normal peripheral nerve and a changed peripheral nerve by means of a scanning electron microscope, the present study was carried out. In the changed nerve fibers, they were enveloped by many processes of hypertrophied Schwann cells, and the processes of the Schwann cells seemed to make a pseudosyntitium-like structure with each other. From this finding, it was speculated that these Schwann cells seemed to follow the reverse process in the development of normal peripheral nerve fibers.

An electron-microscopical study of the developing transitional region in feline S1 dorsal rootlets

The organization of the PNS-CNS transitional region in S1 dorsal roots was studied electron-microscopically in cat foetuses and in kittens. The adult organization pattern was recognized first during the 5th-6th postnatal week. Before this date the transitional region underwent a period of conspicuous remodelling. In 25- to 47-days-old foetuses the transitional region was characterized by large clusters of Schwann cells clinging to bundles of unmyelinated axons. This part of the root then remained unmyelinated after the more distal PNS part and the more proximal CNS part had acquired myelin. Axons of the transitional region started to myelinate first around the 60th day after conception. At this stage the transitional region was characterized by its cellularity: Schwann cells, glioblasts and fibroblasts were abundant. The CNS compartment started to grow out into the root during the 1st postnatal week. Concomitant with the distal expansion of the CNS compartment - calculated to be about 5 micrometer/day during the 1st month - there appeared in the adjacent PNS compartment numerous extraordinarily short internodes carrying myelin sheaths. A glial fringe began to develop and encapsulate PNS-borderline paranodes. The observations are discussed with respect to the adult ultrastructure. It is suggested that there is a conspicuous reorganization of the proximal part of the root. The need for supplementary quantitative data is emphasized.

Studies of Schwann cell proliferation. I. An analysis in tissue culture of proliferation during development, Wallerian degeneration, and direct injury

In this paper the stimuli for and pattern of Schwann cell proliferation are defined under various experimental conditions. We used a tissue culture system in which fetal rat dorsal root ganglia, treated to eliminate contaminating fibroblasts (Wood, P., 1976, Brain Res. 115:361--375), appear to recapitulate many aspects of the developing peripheral nervous system. We observed that: (a) proliferation of Schwann cells on neurites is initially rapid, but, as each neurite becomes fully ensheathed, division slows considerably and is confined to the periphery of the outgrowth; (b) during the period of rapid proliferation, excision of the ganglion causes a rapid decay in the number of dividing cells; (c) excision of the ganglion from more established cultures in which there was little ongoing proliferation resulted in a small increase in labeling at the site of excision for all Schwann cells and a substantial increase in labeling for myelin-related cells with a peak labeling period at 4 d; (d) direct mechanical injury during Wallerian degeneration is mitogenic for Schwann cells; (e) a variety of potential mitogens failed to stimulate Schwann cell proliferation, and (f) replated cells have a slightly higher level of proliferation and show a small and variable response to the addition of cAMP.

Correlative biochemical and morphological studies of myelination in human ontogenesis. II. Myelination of the nerve roots

Biochemical and morphological observations of nerve roots in six fetuses from the 16th to 34th week of gestation and five infants 1 day to 3 years old are presented. In dorsal roots the process of myelination begins later than in the ventral roots and spinal cord and proceeds much slower. As in the spinal cord during nerve roots myelin maturation profound lipid changes are observed.

Polyaxonal myelination in developing dystrophic and normal mouse nerves

Myelin-forming Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system characteristically surround and myelinate only single axons. Polyaxonal myelination is an anomaly of this one-to-one relationship whereby one normal-appearing Schwann cell myelinates multiple axons. We examined the ventral roots and the proximal sciatic and posterior tibial nerves of developing normal mice and of dy2J/dy2J dystrophic mice with proximal failure of myelination. Polyaxonal myelination was a rare feature in normal nerves. Examples of polyaxonal myelination were observed six times more often in dystrophic than in normal mice and were most abundant in proximal sciatic nerves. Polyaxonal myelination could result from either an axonal or a Schwann-cell abnormality, or it may be the nonspecific response of uncommitted Schwann cells to an early failure of myelination.

Wolman's disease: ultrastructural evidence of lipid accumulation in central and peripheral nervous systems

We report the first case of Wolman's disease in which the fine structure of either the peripheral or the central nervous system has been examined. We confirm ultrastructurally the presence of lipid within endothelial and pericytic cells. Several cell types previously believed to be uninvolved in this storage process demonstrate lipid inclusions characteristic of Wolman's disease: perineural, endoneurial and Schwann cells of peripheral nerve, and oligodendrocytes and astrocytes of the central nervous system.

Ultrastructural identification of a benign perineurial cell tumor

A solitary tumor which by light microscopy was calssified as a neurofibroma was found by electron microscopic study to be composed of parallel, elongate cells with collagen rich intervening matrix. The cells showed thin, polar cytoplasmic processes which extended long distances, frequent junctional complexes between cell processes, numerous surface vesicles, and either no or fragmented and variable basement membrane. Perineurial cells from small peripheral nerves of skin were demonstrated to have similar morphologic characteristics as the tumor cells. The present study, together with previous ultrastructural findings, indicate that benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors should be placed in at least three categories: Schwannoma, neurofibroma and perineurioma.

The maturation of the ventral root-spinal cord transitional zone. An ultrastructural study

Initially, ventral motoneurone axons in the transitional zone are closely apposed to one another. They subsequently become progressively separated by astrocyte processes which grow into the axon bundles. These processes become progressively more numerous and project into the ventral rootlet as a glial dome. This disappears with maturation, the surface of the transitional zone becoming level with that of the surrounding cord. At first, a considerable length of the axon in and deep to, the transitional zone is covered only by astrocyte processes. The sleeve of oligodendrocytic cytoplasm myelinating the axon extends distally along it towards the cord surface, thus decreasing the length of axon covered by astrocyte processes. Concurrently, the Schwann cell myelinating the most proximal peripheral internode becomes invaginated into the cord over lengths of 50 micrometer or more. Finger-like processes stem from its central end and abut on the nodal axolemma, as in peripheral nodes. However, a few astrocyte processes remain closely applied to the nodal axolemma, even at maturity. In the adult, the attachment zone consists of closely packed invaginations, each containing the central end of a Schwann cell and its myelin sheath, presenting a honeycomb appearance.

The Schwann cell: a reappraisal of its role in the peripheral nervous system

The Schwann cell is clearly essential for the maintenance of axonal integrity--yet we know little of the regulatory mechanisms governing its behaviour at any point in its life cycle, or of the nature of its interaction with the axons with which each Schwann cell is associated. In this article, the involvement of the Schwann cell in myelinogenesis, aspects of Schwann cell-axon recognition, the experimentally-demonstrable 'bipotentiality' of the Schwann cell and the possible functional significance of the proliferative response of the Schwann cell that occurs after injury are discussed. The isolation and preparation of pure populations of Schwann cells which can be injected or implanted into a damaged nerve, coupled possibly with the localized application of drugs to manipulate the cellular responses to injury within the nerve, represent interesting areas of recent research which may be applied in planning methods of therapeutic intervention in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.

Electron microscopy of cutaneous nerves and receptors

Recent ultrastructural observations on the connective tissue sheaths of nerves, Schwann cell-axonal relations, and nerve terminals and receptors are reviewed. It seems likely that endoneurial collagen is formed by perineurial cells during development and postnatally. New observations on "collagen pockets" are presented. Attention is drawn to freeze-fracture studies of peripheral nerve, particularly in relation to junctional complexes associated with compact myelin, and further application of the technique is considered. Current views on Merkel cells, encapsulated endings, and free nerve terminals are discussed.

Fine structure of unmyelinated nerves in neonatal skin

The fine structure of unmyelinated cutaneous nerve fibers in newborns was examined in lesions of adnexal polyp of neonatal skin. In the neonatal cutaneous nerves, unmyelinated fibers outnumbered myelinated ones. The unmyelinated fibers consisted of Schwann cells, axons and basal lamina. Their ultrastructural organization was basically similar to that in the adult skin. However, some of the unmyelinated fibers contained axonal bundles which suggested a state of cytoarchitectual immaturity or incomplete growth. Phagocytosis of melanosomes by Schwann cells was also observed.