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Transferrin expression in myelinated and non-myelinated peripheral nerves
H H Lin1, B S Snyder, J R Connor
1Department of Anatomy, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey 17033.
Brain Research
|September 3, 1990
Summary
Transferrin, crucial for iron delivery, is found in peripheral nerve myelin-producing Schwann cells. This suggests transferrin plays a role in peripheral nervous system myelination.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Transferrin facilitates iron delivery to cells.
- Oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system are known to associate with transferrin.
- Schwann cells are the myelin-producing cells of the peripheral nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of transferrin in the peripheral nervous system.
- To determine if transferrin expression is unique to myelinated peripheral nerves.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to examine transferrin localization in nerve tissues.
- Immunoblot analysis was performed to quantify transferrin levels in different nerve types.
Main Results:
- Cytoplasmic accumulation of transferrin was observed in Schwann cells of the myelinated sciatic nerve.
- Transferrin was notably absent in the unmyelinated cervical sympathetic trunk.
- Sciatic nerve tissue contained 10 times more transferrin than the cervical sympathetic trunk.
Conclusions:
- Transferrin is present in Schwann cells of myelinated peripheral nerves.
- The findings support the hypothesis that transferrin may be involved in the process of myelination within the peripheral nervous system.