Cytokines and chemokines in inflammatory demyelinating neuropathies

Abstract

Schwann cells are the cells that are responsible for the production and maintenance of myelin in the peripheral nervous system, as a modification of their plasma membrane. It has become clear that Schwann cells are the target of immune and inflammatory mediated reactions, and over the past 20 years studies have shown that Schwann cells might be important participants in the immune process. The interaction of Schwann cells with cytokines and chemokines, some produced by inflammatory cells but clearly some produced by the Schwann cells themselves, mediate much of these Schwann cell functions. These studies have been both in vitro and in vivo, with the latter consisting of studies of animal models as well as from patients with diseases of the peripheral nervous system. Thus, Schwann cells contribute to both pro-inflammatory and downregulation of immune/inflammatory processes. The present review updates our current understanding of the interactions of Schwann cells with cytokines and chemokines. © 2010 Japanese Society for Neuroimmunology.