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Schwann cell

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Schwann cell

(shwän, shvän)
n.
Any of the cells that surround the axons of the peripheral nerves, forming the myelin sheath of myelinated nerve fibers and providing support for nonmyelinated nerve fibers. Also called neurilemma.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Schwann cell

A NEURILEMMA cell of a nerve fibre that produces the myelin sheath. (Theodor Schwann, 1810–1882, German anatomist).
Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Schwann cell

a type of cell occurring in the region of the nerve fibres of the peripheral nervous system of vertebrates. It produces the neurilemma which encloses the MYELIN SHEATH (see Fig. 226 ), and is found in close contact with the nerve axons between each node of Ranvier. see SCHWANN.
Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005
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References in periodicals archive
Even Schwann cells subsequently modulate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, or enzymes such as IL1[beta], TNF[alpha], and iNOS [45].
V Borlongan, "Peripheral nerve repair with cultured schwann cells: getting closer to the clinics," The Scientific World Journal, vol.
Neu differentiation factor is a neuron-glia signal and regulates survival, proliferation, and maturation of rat Schwann cell precursors.
Transplantation of bone marrow stromal cell-derived Schwann cells promotes axonal regeneration and functional recovery after complete transection of adult rat spinal cord.
Schwann cells of the olfactory nerves contain glial fibrillary acidic protein and resemble astrocytes.
(2002) proposed that the mutated GDAP1 might prevent the correct catalysing S-conjugation of reduced glutathione (antioxidant), resulting in a progressive attrition of both axons and Schwann cells. Mutations in the small GTP-ase late endosomal protein RAB7 have also been related with axonal neuropathy.
In addition, where to obtain Schwann cells can be a problem; the cells can be cultivated from a trace sample taken from humans, or can be cultivated from embryonic stem cells.
Scientists believe that this particular gene on chromosome 22 suppresses the growth of Schwann cells. When this gene malfunctions, Schwann cells can grow out of control.
It should be noted that DRG cells contained both sensory neurons and Schwann cells in our experiment, although DRG explants had been shredded and digested.
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