Janni G, Jasmin L, Ohara PT (2001) Schwann cells can enter the demyelinated spinal cord from dorsal roots via scar tissue. Neuroscience 2001 Abstracts 157.4. Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA.
Summary: We have studied the routes of entry of Schwann cells into the demyelinated spinal cord. Following application of the toxin CTB-Sap (B fragment of Cholera toxin conjugated to Saporin) into the intrathecal space of adult rats there occurs massive loss of oligodendrocytes with secondary demyelination of the lumbar spinal cord with sparing of axons. Concurrent with the demyelination, an arachnoiditis develops that results in dorsal roots becoming adherent to the lateral spinal cord. Light and electron microscopy showed that Schwann cells in the dorsal roots were always separated from the demyelinated axons by a mesenchymal interface part of which was formed by the dorsal root perineurium. Within 15 days of the demyelination, Schwann cell precursors (p75 immunopositive) migrated from the dorsal roots into the spinal cord via the adhesions and were found to divide within the cord. Schwann cell myelination of demyelinated central axons was consistently observed by day 30. Therefore the Schwann precursors were able to migrate into demyelinated spinal cord through non-neuronal cellular barriers without being in direct contact with demyelinated axons. These findings suggest that, under appropriate conditions, Schwann cells might be introduced therapeutically into the demyelinated spinal cord via intrathecal application and avoid direct spinal injection.
Related Products: CTB-SAP (Cat. #IT-14)