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The Fundamentals of Schwann Cell Biology

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Industrial Revolution in Knowledge Management and Technology

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology ((BRIEFSAPPLSCIENCES))

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Abstract

Schwann cells are ubiquitous in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), forming intimate enwrapments around the axons of the peripheral nerve tissues. Schwann cells exhibit two distinct phenotypes in adult animals: myelinating cells or Remak cells. Myelinating cells form the myelin sheath, facilitating the action potential saltatory conduction. On the other hand, Remak Schwann cells form non-myelinating interactions with multiple small diameter axons in Remak bundles. Besides establishing and maintaining the neurophysiological functions of axons, Schwann cells are also one of the critical regulators for axonal maintenance and metabolic support, neurodevelopment, and nerve injury response. Schwann cell reprogramming is contingent on the plasticity of Schwann cells, which is important in a wide range of Schwann cell functions, from development to nerve injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, our understanding of the biology of Schwann cell plasticity is still developing. Schwann cell plasticity will become increasingly prominent as a subject area in Schwann cell biology in the following decades as emerging data signify its relevance in developing therapeutic strategies for nerve injury and degenerative neuropathies such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Malaysia for the financial support (FRGS/1/2019/SKK08/UNIKL/02/3). We also greatly appreciate the financial support from Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL/CoRI/str17089).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Institute of Medical Science Technology, A1-1, Jalan TKS 1, Taman Kajang Sentral, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Nurul Husna Abd Razak, Amiza Shahira Zainey, Jalilah Idris & Muhammad Fauzi Daud

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  1. Nurul Husna Abd Razak
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  2. Amiza Shahira Zainey
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  3. Jalilah Idris
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  4. Muhammad Fauzi Daud
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Correspondence to Muhammad Fauzi Daud .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Lumut, Perak, Malaysia

    Azman Ismail

  2. Information Science Studies, College of Computing, Informatics and Media, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Machang, Kelantan, Malaysia

    Fatin Nur Zulkipli

  3. Centre for Women Advancement and Leadership, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Jimisiah Jaafar

  4. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, Esslingen am Neckar, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

    Andreas Öchsner

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Abd Razak, N.H., Zainey, A.S., Idris, J., Daud, M.F. (2023). The Fundamentals of Schwann Cell Biology. In: Ismail, A., Nur Zulkipli, F., Jaafar, J., Öchsner, A. (eds) Industrial Revolution in Knowledge Management and Technology. SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29265-1_13

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