Abstract

One of the most significant interactions between Schwann cells and neurons is myelin sheath formation. Myelination is a vertebrate adaptation that enables rapid conduction of action potentials without a commensurate increase in axon diameter. In vitro neuronal systems provide a unique modality to study both factors influencing myelination and diseases associated with myelination. Currently, no in vitro system for motoneuron myelination by Schwann cells has been demonstrated. This work details the myelination of motoneuron axons by Schwann cells, with complete node of Ranvier formation, in a defined in vitro culture system. This defined system utilizes a novel serum-free medium in combination with the non-biological substrate, N-1[3 (trimethoxysilyl) propyl] diethylenetriamine (DETA). The myelinated segments and nodal proteins were visualized and quantified using confocal microscopy. This defined system provides a highly controlled, reproducible model for studying Schwann cell in

Document Type

Patent

Patent Number

US 8,828,721

Application Serial Number

12/788,732

Issue Date

9-9-2014

Current Assignee

UCFRF

Assignee at Issuance

UCFRF

College

NanoScience Technology Center

Department

NanoScience Technology Center

Allowance Date

4-22-2014

Filing Date

5-27-2010

Assignee at Filing

UCFRF

Filing Type

Nonprovisional Application Record

Donated

no

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