THE EFFECTS OF MITOMYCIN C ON THE PROCESS OF REMYELINATION IN THE MAMMALIAN PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

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Abstract
Schwann cell proliferation is a prominent feature of the normal response of a peripheral nerve fibre bundle to injurious stimuli. In this report we have attempted to analyse: (1) the pattern of division of cells in the endoneurium following demyelination induced by lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC), and (2) the consequence of inhibiting this response using mitomycin C. The nuclear uptake of 3H‐thymidine was examined in post‐LPC nerves with or without pretreatment with mitomycin C by means of light microscope autoradiography and by liquid scintillation counting. It was found that mitomycin C pretreatment inhibited the Schwann cell division that follows LPC injection into the nerve and that the fibires demyelinated thereby remained unmyelinated and surrounded by debris‐filled axon‐associated Schwann cells, for at least 1 month after injection of LPC. Remyelination was well established in control fibres by the second week after LPC injection. The nature of the stimuli which might initiate mitotic activity in mature Schwann cells and the possible function of this are discussed.