| First Author | Chen S | Year | 2003 |
| Journal | Nat Neurosci | Volume | 6 |
| Issue | 11 | Pages | 1186-93 |
| PubMed ID | 14555954 | Mgi Jnum | J:86397 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:2679770 | Doi | 10.1038/nn1139 |
| Citation | Chen S, et al. (2003) Disruption of ErbB receptor signaling in adult non-myelinating Schwann cells causes progressive sensory loss. Nat Neurosci 6(11):1186-93 |
| abstractText | Here we studied the role of signaling through ErbB-family receptors in interactions between unmyelinated axons and non-myelinating Schwann cells in adult nerves. We generated transgenic mice that postnatally express a dominant-negative ErbB receptor in non-myelinating but not in myelinating Schwann cells. These mutant mice present a progressive peripheral neuropathy characterized by extensive Schwann cell proliferation and death, loss of unmyelinated axons and marked heat and cold pain insensitivity. At later stages, C-fiber sensory neurons die by apoptosis, a process that may result from reduced GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor) expression in the sciatic nerve. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1)-ErbB signaling mediates, therefore, reciprocal interactions between non-myelinating Schwann cells and unmyelinated sensory neuron axons that are critical for Schwann cell and C-fiber sensory neuron survival. This study provides new insights into ErbB signaling in adult Schwann cells, the contribution of non-myelinating Schwann cells in maintaining trophic support of sensory neurons, and the possible role of disrupted ErbB signaling in peripheral sensory neuropathies. |
