Dedifferentiated Schwann cells secrete progranulin that enhances the survival and axon growth of motor neurons

Main Points Schwann cells (SCs) express and secrete progranulin (PGRN), depending on the differentiation status of SCs PGRN expression markedly increases as SCs undergo dedifferentiation both in culture and in vivo PGRN secreted from SCs enhances the survival and axon growth of motor neurons AbstractSchwann cells (SCs), the primary glia in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), display remarkable plasticity in that fully mature SCs undergo dedifferentiation and convert to repair SCs upon nerve injury. Dedifferentiated SCs provide essential support for PNS regeneration by producing signals that enhance the survival and axon regrowth of damaged neurons, but the identities of neurotrophic factors remain incompletely understood. Here we show that SCs express and secrete progranulin (PGRN), depending on the differentiation status of SCs. PGRN expression and secretion markedly increased as primary SCs underwent dedifferentiation, while PGRN secretion was prevented by administration of cAMP, which induced SC differentiation. We also found that sciatic nerve injury, a physiological trigger of SC dedifferentiation, induced PGRN expression in SCs in vivo. These results suggest that dedifferentiated SCs express and secrete PGRN that functions as a paracrine factor to support the survival and axon growth of neighboring neurons after injury.
Source: Glia - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research