Work

Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Alters Axon Schwann Cell Units and Promotes Myelination in Unmyelinated Nerve Fibers

Year: 2003

Type: article

Abstract: Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) plays an important role in the development and maintenance of a subset of dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons. We administered high-dose exogenous recombinant human GDNF (rhGDNF) daily to adult rats to examine its effect on unmyelinated axon-Schwann cell units in intact peripheral nerves. In rhGDNF-treated animals, there was a dramatic proliferation in the Schwann cells of unmyelinated fibers, which resulted in the segregation of many unmyelinated axons into a 1:1 relationship with Schwann cells and myelination of normally unmyelinated small axons. This study demonstrates that the administration of high doses of a growth factor to adult rats can change the phenotype of nerve fibers from unmyelinated to myelinated.

Source: Journal of Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.23-02-00561.2003

Authors: Ahmet Höke, Tony Ho, Thomas O. Crawford, Carl LeBel, Dana Hilt, John W. Griffin

Institutions: Amgen (United States), Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Nerve injury and regeneration

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke