Journal Article

Effects of PACAP on Schwann Cells: Focus on Nerve Injury

Musumeci, Giuseppe, D’Amico, Agata Grazia, D’Agata, Velia, Reglodi, Dora, Maugeri, Grazia

2020

Overview

Schwann cells, the most abundant glial cells of the peripheral nervous system, represent the key players able to supply extracellular microenvironment for axonal regrowth and restoration of myelin sheaths on regenerating axons. Following nerve injury, Schwann cells respond adaptively to damage by acquiring a new phenotype. In particular, some of them localize in the distal stump to form the Bungner band, a regeneration track in the distal site of the injured nerve, whereas others produce cytokines involved in recruitment of macrophages infiltrating into the nerve damaged area for axonal and myelin debris clearance. Several neurotrophic factors, including pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), promote survival and axonal elongation of injured neurons. The present review summarizes the evidence existing in the literature demonstrating the autocrine and/or paracrine action exerted by PACAP to promote remyelination and ameliorate the peripheral nerve inflammatory response following nerve injury.

• Publisher: MDPI
• Subject: Animals / Axons - drug effects / Axons - physiology / Cell Survival - drug effects / Humans / Myelin Sheath - drug effects / Myelin Sheath - physiology / Nerve Fibers - drug effects / Nerve Fibers - physiology / Nerve Regeneration - drug effects / Peripheral Nerve Injuries - drug therapy / Peripheral Nerve Injuries - pathology / Peripheral Nerve Injuries - physiopathology / Peripheral Nerves - drug effects / Peripheral Nerves - physiology / Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide - pharmacology / Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide - therapeutic use / Review / Schwann Cells - drug effects / Schwann Cells - physiology / Trauma, Nervous System - drug therapy / Trauma, Nervous System - pathology / Trauma, Nervous System - physiopathology