| First Author | Haney CA | Year | 1999 |
| Journal | J Cell Biol | Volume | 146 |
| Issue | 5 | Pages | 1173-84 |
| PubMed ID | 10477768 | Mgi Jnum | J:57603 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:1344997 | Doi | 10.1083/jcb.146.5.1173 |
| Citation | Haney CA, et al. (1999) Heterophilic binding of L1 on unmyelinated sensory axons mediates Schwann cell adhesion and is required for axonal survival. J Cell Biol 146(5):1173-84 |
| abstractText | This study investigated the function of the adhesion molecule L1 in unmyelinated fibers of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) by analysis of L1- deficient mice. We demonstrate that L1 is present on axons and Schwann cells of sensory unmyelinated fibers, but only on Schwann cells of sympathetic unmyelinated fibers. In L1-deficient sensory nerves, Schwann cells formed but failed to retain normal axonal ensheathment. L1-deficient mice had reduced sensory function and loss of unmyelinated axons, while sympathetic unmyelinated axons appeared normal. In nerve transplant studies, loss of axonal-L1, but not Schwann cell-L1, reproduced the L1-deficient phenotype. These data establish that heterophilic axonal-L1 interactions mediate adhesion between unmyelinated sensory axons and Schwann cells, stabilize the polarization of Schwann cell surface membranes, and mediate a trophic effect that assures axonal survival. |
