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Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

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In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 13, 2026

Analyzing Murine Schwann Cell Development Along Growing Axons

Analyzing Murine Schwann Cell Development Along Growing Axons

Published on: November 21, 2012

New insights on Schwann cell development.

Kelly R Monk¹, M Laura Feltri², Carla Taveggia³

¹Department of Developmental Biology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.

|April 30, 2015

Summary

Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system develop through a precise sequence, guided by cell signaling. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is key to myelin sheath formation and neuronal support.

Keywords:

Remak Schwann cell Schwann cell Schwann cell precursor immature Schwann cell myelinating Schwann cell neural crest peripheral nervous system radial sorting

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Developmental Biology

Background:

Schwann cells are crucial glial cells in the peripheral nervous system, supporting neurons and forming the myelin sheath.
These cells originate from neural crest progenitor cells and undergo a complex developmental pathway.

Purpose of the Study:

To review key discoveries and recent advancements in Schwann cell development and myelination.
To focus on the molecular mechanisms, particularly cell-cell and cell-matrix signaling, that regulate these processes.

Main Methods:

Literature review of seminal discoveries and recent research.
Focus on molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in Schwann cell differentiation and myelination.

Main Results:

Schwann cell development involves a highly ordered sequence from precursors to mature myelinating or nonmyelinating cells.
Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions play critical roles in guiding Schwann cell differentiation and function.

Conclusions:

Understanding the molecular signaling driving Schwann cell development is essential for comprehending peripheral nerve biology.
Recent advances highlight the complexity of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in myelination and trophic support.