Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience (Jan 2013)

GABA-B receptors in the PNS have a role in Schwann Cells differentiation?

  • Patrizia eProcacci,
  • Marinella eBallabio,
  • Luca Franco Castelnovo,
  • Cristina Maria Mantovani,
  • Valerio eMagnaghi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2012.00068
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6

Abstract

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GABA-B receptor mediates the inhibitory transmission of -aminobutyric acid in the mammalian nervous system, being present in neurons and also in glial cells. Recently the presence of GABA-B has been demonstrated in Schwann cells suggesting its contribution in regulating the cell fate, maturation and plasticity. Here, we further support the functional presence of GABA-B receptor in Schwann cells plasma membrane. By confocal microscopy immunofluorescence we provide evidences that GABA-B localization on the cell elongated processes correlates with the morphological changes occurring in the differentiated Schwann cells. In vivo most of the GABA-B receptors seem to be present in non-myelinating Schwann cells, which are committed to en-sheet the nociceptive fibers. Therefore, we argue that GABA-B receptors do not control exclusively the in vivo differentiation yielding the myelinating Schwann cells, but are also fundamental in regulating the Schwann cells plasticity versus the non-myelinating state.Data from the literature and our recent findings corroborate the role of the GABAergic system and GABA-B receptors in the peripheral nervous system, opening new perspectives on the mechanisms controlling the differentiation of Schwann cells

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