Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Remyelination by Schwann cells of axons demyelinated by intraspinal injection of 6-aminonicotinamide in the rat

  • Published:
Journal of Neurocytology

Summary

Focal areas of primary demyelination were produced in the spinal cords of rats by means of local injections of 6-aminonicotinamide. Both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes underwent degeneration in the demyelinated area. Nearly all the demyelinated axons were remyelinated by Schwann cells; only a very small number of axons located adjacent to normally myelinated axons were remyelinated by oligodendrocytes. The glial limiting membrane was reconstituted around the edge of the area remyelinated by Schwann cells. This experiment offers further evidence for an important role of astrocytes in controlling Schwann cell invasion of the central nervous system, and in addition suggests that astrocytes are also needed for oligodendrocyte remyelination to take place.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Blakemore, W. F. (1974a) Pattern of remyelination in the CNS.Nature (London) 249, 575–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blakemore, W. F. (1974b) Remyelination of the superior cerebellar peduncle in old mice following demyelination induced by cuprizone.Journal of the Neurological Sciences 22, 121–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blakemore, W. F. (1975) Invasion of Schwann cells into the spinal cord of the rat following local injections of lysolecithin.Journal of Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, in press.

  • Blakemore, W. F. andPatterson, R. C. (1975) Observations on the interrelation of Schwann cells and astrocytes following X-irradiation of neonatal rat spinal cord.Journal of Neurocytology 4, 573–85.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hirano, A., Levine, S. andZimmerman, H. M. (1968) Remyelination in the central nervous system after cyanide intoxication.Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology 28, 234–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iglesias-Rozas, J. R. andDe Iglesias, R. E. (1974) Histochemical changes in the rat spinal cord after exposure to 6-amino nicotinamide.Acta Neuropathologica 28, 223–32.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lampert, P. (1967) Electron microscopic studies on ordinary and hyperacute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.Acta Neuropathologica 9, 99–126.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer-König, E. (1973) Ultrastruktur der Glia- und Axonschädigung durch 6-Aminonicotinamid am Sehnerv der Ratte.Acta Neuropathologica 26, 115–26.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reier, P. J. andWebster, H. deF. (1974) Regeneration and remyelination of Xenopus tadpole optic nerve fibres following transection or crush.Journal of Neurocytology 3, 591–618.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, H. andCervos-Navarro, J. (1974) Acute gliopathy in spinal cord and brain stem induced by 6-amino nicotinamide.Acta Neuropathologica 27, 11–23.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Welcome Laboratory for Comparative Neurology, Madingley Road, CB3 OES, Cambridge

    W. F. Blakemore

Authors
  1. W. F. Blakemore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Blakemore, W.F. Remyelination by Schwann cells of axons demyelinated by intraspinal injection of 6-aminonicotinamide in the rat. J Neurocytol 4, 745–757 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01181634

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01181634

Keywords

Search

Navigation