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The junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)‐C is required for maintaining the integrity and function of myelinated peripheral nerves
Author(s) -
Scheiermann Christoph,
Meda Paolo,
Madani Rime,
Coffey Peter,
Salt Tom,
Caille Dorothée,
Howell Owain,
Reynolds Richard,
Lobrinus Alexander,
AurrandLions Michel,
Adams Ralf,
Imhof Beat,
Nourshargh Sussan
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a65-c
Subject(s) - myelin , microbiology and biotechnology , schwann cell , peripheral nervous system , neuromuscular junction , gap junction , anatomy , neuroscience , biology , chemistry , intracellular , central nervous system
Schwann cells, the myelin‐forming glial cells of the peripheral nervous system, wrap around axons to form multiple polarized domains that provide electrical insulation of fibers in a manner that ensures rapid saltatory nerve conduction. Here we report expression of the junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)‐C in Schwann cells at junctions between adjoining myelin lamellae and demonstrate that its absence in JAM‐C deficient mice results in loss of integrity of the myelin sheath in ~20% of axonal fibers. In line with this finding, JAM‐C deficiency led to defective nerve conductance (100% and 34% reduction after stimulation at 5V and 10V, respectively) and behavioral abnormalities (17% and 20% reduction in stride lengths and grip strength assays, respectively). These results suggest that JAM‐C plays an important role in maintaining the structural integrity of myelin sheaths, a finding that provides novel insight to the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathies. Funded by the British Heart Foundation