MITF in the Regulation of Schwann Cell Nerve Repair Activity

The peripheral nervous system is far more capable of self-repair than the central nervous system. Nonetheless, nerve damage typically results in far less functional regeneration than is the case for other tissues. The research community is thus interested in finding ways to enhance existing repair processes. Here, researchers investigate a portion of the regulatory mechanisms that control the activity of Schwann cells in nerve repair, in search of targets for drug development programs aimed at enhancing regeneration of nerve damage, both in the peripheral nervous system, and also potentially in the central nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is made up of all the nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord to give us sensation throughout our bodies. There are many cell types in peripheral nerves, here researchers focus on understanding neurons, which transmit information throughout the nervous system, and Schwann cells, which protect healthy neurons and repair damaged ones. The peripheral nervous system's ability to repair damage is remarkable considering that the central nervous system - made up of the brain and spinal cord - is not able to repair damage. Yet, the mechanisms that orchestrate this feat have remained poorly understood. To unravel how Schwann cells differentiate to begin repairing peripheral nerve damage, the researchers looked at mouse models of Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT), a type of hereditary neuropathy. In mice with...
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