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The Role of Schwann Cells in Peripheral Nerve Function, Injury, and Repair

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Cell Engineering and Regeneration

Part of the book series: Reference Series in Biomedical Engineering ((TIENRE))

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Abstract

The specialized role of the Schwann cell is reviewed in the context of peripheral nerve, spanning neural development, anatomy, signaling, and function. A particular focus of this chapter is the increasingly important role identified in many studies of Schwann cells in nerve injury and repair. We summarize a range of key studies describing these specialized roles, which include the alignment of Schwann cells along myelinated axons; the protection of signaling pathways between the ganglion bodies, linking the spine and target muscles; and the secretion of growth factors. Myelin structures are reviewed and their organization as nodes for physical protection and as structures that increase action potential velocities of motor and sensory systems. We focus on nerve injury, and mechanisms of nerve wound healing and repair, considering the role of the Schwann cell as it dedifferentiates, proliferates, and redifferentiates. The physical role of the glia in guiding axon regeneration and the role of neurotrophins that communicate via paracrine receptor-mediated signals are considered. Bioengineering strategies are also considered, with innovations in biomaterial scaffolds as medical devices for peripheral nerve repair, with a focus on new technologies and models for evaluation, plus new methods for Schwann and stem cell therapies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana – Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile

    Christina M. A. P. Schuh, Cristian De Gregorio & Pamina Contreras-Kallens

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    Ana Maria Sandoval-Castellanos & John W. Haycock

Authors
  1. Christina M. A. P. Schuh
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  2. Ana Maria Sandoval-Castellanos
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  3. Cristian De Gregorio
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  4. Pamina Contreras-Kallens
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  5. John W. Haycock
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christina M. A. P. Schuh .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Tulane Univ. Sch. of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Jeffrey M. Gimble

  2. AUVA Trauma Research Center, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria

    Darja Marolt Presen

  3. Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

    Richard O. C. Oreffo

  4. AUVA Trauma Research Center, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria

    Susanne Wolbank

  5. AUVA Trauma Research Center, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria

    Heinz Redl

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Schuh, C.M.A.P., Sandoval-Castellanos, A.M., De Gregorio, C., Contreras-Kallens, P., Haycock, J.W. (2020). The Role of Schwann Cells in Peripheral Nerve Function, Injury, and Repair. In: Gimble, J., Marolt Presen, D., Oreffo, R., Wolbank, S., Redl, H. (eds) Cell Engineering and Regeneration. Reference Series in Biomedical Engineering(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08831-0_5

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