Schwann cells in regeneration and cancer.

in Frontiers in pharmacology by Lan Zhang, Jiale Xie, Wenyu Dai, Bing Lu, Sheng Yi

TLDR

  • Schwann cells play a critical role in peripheral nerve regeneration and tumorigenesis, with potential applications in tissue engineering and cancer therapy.
  • The study highlights the complex and multifaceted functions of Schwann cells, emphasizing the need for further research to fully understand their role in disease and regeneration.

Abstract

Schwann cells are specific peripheral glial cells with remarkable plasticity following peripheral nerve injury. Injury responses stimulate c-Jun activation in Schwann cells, drive epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cellular phenotypic changes, and induce the generation of reprogrammed repair Schwann cells to orchestrate peripheral nerve regeneration process. Schwann cells and/or Schwann cell-derived molecules are commonly used as supporting cells and/or neurotrophic factors to construct Schwann cell-based tissue-engineered nerve grafts for repairing severe peripheral nerve injury with long defects. Transplantation of Schwann cells and/or Schwann cell-derived molecules also serves as a helpful approach for the treatment of other injured tissues, such as the spinal cord, skin, digit tip, and bone. Schwann cells are not only associated with tissue regeneration but also involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Schwann cells are the major cellular component of neurofibromatosis type 1 and the sole cell type in neurofibromatosis type 2 and schwannomatosis. In addition, Schwann cells also function as an important player in the tumor microenvironment and aid in the growth and invasiveness of many other solid cancers. In the present review, we outline the physiological and pathological activities of Schwann cells and discuss the functional roles of Schwann cells in homeostasis, regeneration, and cancer.

Overview

  • The study focuses on the role of Schwann cells in peripheral nerve regeneration and tumorigenesis.
  • The study investigates how Schwann cells respond to peripheral nerve injury, including the activation of c-Jun and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
  • The study aims to understand the physiological and pathological activities of Schwann cells, including their roles in homeostasis, regeneration, and cancer.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • Schwann cells play a crucial role in peripheral nerve regeneration, orchestrating the process through the generation of reprogrammed repair Schwann cells.
  • Schwann cells are involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, serving as a major cellular component in neurofibromatosis type 1 and the sole cell type in neurofibromatosis type 2 and schwannomatosis.
  • Schwann cells also function as an important player in the tumor microenvironment, aiding in the growth and invasiveness of many other solid cancers.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study's findings suggest that Schwann cells could be used as supporting cells and/or neurotrophic factors in tissue-engineered nerve grafts for repairing severe peripheral nerve injury with long defects.
  • Future research could explore the use of Schwann cells in the treatment of other injured tissues, such as the spinal cord, skin, digit tip, and bone.
  • Understanding the functional roles of Schwann cells in homeostasis, regeneration, and cancer could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for these conditions.
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