Pharmacologically targeting Schwann cells to improve regeneration following nerve damage

Schwann cells provide essential support for nerve growth and survival following peripheral nerve damage by producing various growth factors and other signalling molecules. Modulating the proliferation, differentiation, migration, or myelination of Schwann cells could result in accelerated repair and...

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Main Authors: Alaa A. Alhamdi, Shona Mackie, Ryan P. Trueman, Melissa L. D. Rayner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1603752/full
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author Alaa A. Alhamdi
Alaa A. Alhamdi
Shona Mackie
Shona Mackie
Ryan P. Trueman
Ryan P. Trueman
Melissa L. D. Rayner
Melissa L. D. Rayner
author_facet Alaa A. Alhamdi
Alaa A. Alhamdi
Shona Mackie
Shona Mackie
Ryan P. Trueman
Ryan P. Trueman
Melissa L. D. Rayner
Melissa L. D. Rayner
author_sort Alaa A. Alhamdi
collection DOAJ
description Schwann cells provide essential support for nerve growth and survival following peripheral nerve damage by producing various growth factors and other signalling molecules. Modulating the proliferation, differentiation, migration, or myelination of Schwann cells could result in accelerated repair and regeneration of injured nerves, ultimately leading to improved motor and sensory function. Therefore, Schwann cells are commonly advocated as therapeutic targets for nerve damage, which could be mediated by pharmacological intervention. This review discusses how compounds such as growth factors, hormones, and small molecules can regulate intracellular signalling pathways involved in modulating Schwann cells.
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spelling doaj-art-dda73035cd57435ebebb63675d134d8f2025-08-20T03:22:11ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology2296-634X2025-06-011310.3389/fcell.2025.16037521603752Pharmacologically targeting Schwann cells to improve regeneration following nerve damageAlaa A. Alhamdi0Alaa A. Alhamdi1Shona Mackie2Shona Mackie3Ryan P. Trueman4Ryan P. Trueman5Melissa L. D. Rayner6Melissa L. D. Rayner7Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United KingdomUCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, University College London, London, United KingdomDepartment of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United KingdomUCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, University College London, London, United KingdomDepartment of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United KingdomUCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, University College London, London, United KingdomDepartment of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United KingdomUCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, University College London, London, United KingdomSchwann cells provide essential support for nerve growth and survival following peripheral nerve damage by producing various growth factors and other signalling molecules. Modulating the proliferation, differentiation, migration, or myelination of Schwann cells could result in accelerated repair and regeneration of injured nerves, ultimately leading to improved motor and sensory function. Therefore, Schwann cells are commonly advocated as therapeutic targets for nerve damage, which could be mediated by pharmacological intervention. This review discusses how compounds such as growth factors, hormones, and small molecules can regulate intracellular signalling pathways involved in modulating Schwann cells.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1603752/fullnerve regenerationSchwann cellssignalling pathwaypharmacological interventioncell phenotype
spellingShingle Alaa A. Alhamdi
Alaa A. Alhamdi
Shona Mackie
Shona Mackie
Ryan P. Trueman
Ryan P. Trueman
Melissa L. D. Rayner
Melissa L. D. Rayner
Pharmacologically targeting Schwann cells to improve regeneration following nerve damage
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
nerve regeneration
Schwann cells
signalling pathway
pharmacological intervention
cell phenotype
title Pharmacologically targeting Schwann cells to improve regeneration following nerve damage
title_full Pharmacologically targeting Schwann cells to improve regeneration following nerve damage
title_fullStr Pharmacologically targeting Schwann cells to improve regeneration following nerve damage
title_full_unstemmed Pharmacologically targeting Schwann cells to improve regeneration following nerve damage
title_short Pharmacologically targeting Schwann cells to improve regeneration following nerve damage
title_sort pharmacologically targeting schwann cells to improve regeneration following nerve damage
topic nerve regeneration
Schwann cells
signalling pathway
pharmacological intervention
cell phenotype
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1603752/full
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