Figure 1.

Changes in the Schwann cell population in chronically degenerated human nerve tissue.

Following nerve injury and repair, shown here as a nerve transection with a bridge to join the severed stumps, Schwann cells initially adopt a functional repair phenotype which is associated with regeneration support. Where there is chronic denervation of the distal nerve stump, deterioration of the repair Schwann cells begins, diminishing the capacity of the nerve tissue to support neuronal regeneration.