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Biology and pathology of nonmyelinating Schwann cells
Author(s) -
Griffin John W.,
Thompson Wesley J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/glia.20778
Subject(s) - biology , neuroscience , schwann cell , myelin , nociceptor , myelin sheath , anatomy , central nervous system , nociception , biochemistry , receptor
The CNS contains relatively few unmyelinated nerve fibers, and thus benefits from the advantages that are conferred by myelination, including faster conduction velocities, lower energy consumption for impulse transmission, and greater stability of point‐to‐point connectivity. In the PNS many fibers or regions of fibers the Schwann do not form myelin. Examples include C fibers nociceptors, postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and the Schwann cells associated with motor nerve terminals at neuromuscular junctions. These examples retain a degree of plasticity and a capacity to sprout collaterally that is unusual in myelinated fibers. Nonmyelin‐forming Schwann cells, including those associated with uninjured fibers, have the capacity to act as the “first responders” to injury or disease in their neighborhoods. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.