Schwann cell cultures: a model of the nervous system microenvironment

Abstract

Some of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) physiopathological aspects can be studied in an in vitro cellular model of Schwann Cells (SC). SC as PNS glia produces myelin. Myelination increases the rate of impulse conduction. SCs influence neuronal activity and axonal support and protection. Also, they are the target of the process which alters the PNS, such as congenital andlor demyelinating neuropathies, nervous lesions, response to neurotrophic pathogens, etc., being the events most frequently found in adults. It is then important to obtain cells from adult animals. However, these cells are mytotically ""slow"" and growing them in culture needs specific conditions which stimulate proliferation and activity. An in vitro model to obtain highly enriched adult mouse SC cultures which have some of the in vivo SC cell cultures' features, is described. This method can be used to study several aspects of the nervous system biology.