Schwann cells migrate along axons in the absence of GDNF signaling

During development neural crest derived Schwann Cell (SC) precursors migrate to nervetrunks and populate nascent nerves. Axonal ensheathment by SC is a prerequisite for normalnerve function and the integrity of myelinated as well as nonmyelinated axons.

To provideadequate support functions, SC colonize entire nerves. One important prerequisite for this istheir migration into distal axonal regions.

Results: Here, we studied the role of Glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a TGF-betarelated growth factor, for SC migration.

To this end we used a superior cervical ganglion(SCG) explant-SC migration assay, GDNF null mutant mouse embryos and a chemicalinhibitor for GDNF signaling in combination with time-lapse imaging. We found that GDNFsignaling is dispensable for SC migration along murine embryonic sympathetic axons.Furthermore, in vivo analyzes revealed that SC migration along the sciatic nerve is also notdependent on GDNF.

Conclusions: In contrast to previous in vitro findings in the sciatic nerve and a SC precursor cell line, ourresults clearly indicate that GDNF is dispensable for embryonal SC migration.

This isdemonstrated for the sympathetic nervous system and also for the sciatic nerve in mouse.

Author: Stephan HeermannBjörn SpittauKatalin ZajzonMarkus H SchwabKerstin Krieglstein
Credits/Source: BMC Neuroscience 2012, 13:92

Published on: 2012-08-03

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