Figure 1.

Alteration of Schwann cell longevity, phenotype, and function in different diseases. SCs are implicated in a wide range of diseases and pathological conditions due to their inherent potential for phenotypic and functional plasticity, as well as their ability to interact with various subsets of surrounding cells. Many inherited, toxic, autoimmune, metabolic, or pharmacological stimuli can damage SC motility, myelin production, and survival. In contrast, other stimuli, such as trauma, hormones, infection, or inflammation, induce SC injury response. Associated adaptive cellular reprogramming of SCs is seen as their denervation, dedifferentiation, proliferation, and phenotypic flexibility. Both SC damage and adaptive reprogramming are associated with significant and often specific alterations in cellular pathways, including neurotoxic, neurogenic, inflammatory, matrix remodeling, wound healing, and cell death pathways. Together with abundant experimental results, these data suggest that SCs can serve as therapeutic targets or cell transfer therapy for various types of neuropathies and associated pathophysiological conditions.