Axon and Schwann cells... so far away, so close

Myelination was a major step in the evolution of the nervous system. Appearing first in jaw fish, myelination allows the fast and secure propagation of action potentials at a low energetic cost, and without exaggerated increase in axonal diameter. In the peripheral nervous system of mammals, myelination results from the tight interactions between Schwann cells and axons, leading to the formation of highly differentiated domains along the axon. The molecular determinants of these interactions are starting to be well identified. Their understanding provides a precise framework to interpret the defects, which occur in pathological circumstances. This review summarizes the present state of knowledge concerning axoglial interactions in peripheral nerves. (c) 2008 Publie par Elsevier Masson SAS.