The Biology of Schwann Cells: Development, Differentiation, and Immunomodulation

edited by Patricia Armati, PhD, 249 pp, with illus, $130, ISBN 978-0-521-85020-9, Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, 2007.

“The Schwann cell has been historically underrated and poorly understood.” With this sentence from the preface of this book, Patricia Armati, PhD, professor at the University of Sydney, Australia, underlines the need for a comprehensive book in which the broad spectrum of scientific knowledge about this cell type is gathered and brought to attention. Many neurologists and neuroscientists still consider the Schwann cell as a simple sheath; however, there is much more complexity behind it and its relevance for the homeostasis of the peripheral nerve should not be underestimated.

This book has 10 chapters and starts with a historic view on Theodor Schwann, his description of the cell that later was named after him, and his contribution to physiology and histology. Subsequently, Schwann cell development is covered, with specific emphasis on the various molecules that are critically involved in this process, followed by an in-depth review of the molecular organization of myelinating Schwann cells and their interaction with the axonal membrane. This is followed by a chapter on the role of the extracellular matrix in Schwann cell development and myelination, an important aspect in the context of various inherited neuropathies. The broad spectrum of Schwann cell biology and physiology is outlined in a section on so-called perisynaptic Schwann cells, a third cellular component at the neuromuscular junction. Chapters 6 and 7 address the immunocompetence of Schwann cells and their capability to produce soluble mediators or even to act as an antigen-presenting cell. The final section is devoted to putting our current understanding about Schwann cells into the context of inherited neuropathies and acute immune-mediated polyneuropathies, such as the Guillain-Barré syndrome, as well as its chronic forms, the chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathies.

Armati managed to gather a large number of experts in the field of Schwann cell research to contribute to this book. Consequently, as often in multiauthor texts, the writing style from one chapter to another differs; however, this does not impact the flow of the entire book. The degree of overlap between the chapters is well balanced; only chapters 6 and 7 contain some larger parts of redundancy. Cross-referencing between individual chapters could have been more extensive, especially in those chapters putting the basic understanding of Schwann cell biology in the context of a disease.

This book is nicely illustrated with many figures explaining the complexity of Schwann cell biology, including a large number of immunohistochemical stainings and several electron micrographs. Many of the immunohistochemical pictures provided are immunofluorescent double or triple stains, which need to be reproduced in color. Unfortunately, obviously to reduce reproduction costs, all color figures are bundled in the middle of the book; however, the respective figure legends remain in the individual chapters. A few black-and-white figures have not been reproduced very nicely and may appear rather vague for the nonexperienced eye. A large number of tables summarize relevant information and are readily comprehensible.

These very few limitations aside, this book is a very informative read. All chapters are well written and extensively referenced. I recommend this book to any neurologist or neuroscientist interested in the peripheral nervous system and it is a must for anyone with a specific interest in the diversity of Schwann cell subsets and their function.

Prose: ★★★★

Illustrations: ★★★

Science: ★★★★

Usefulness: ★★★★

Correspondence: Dr Kieseier, Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany (bernd.kieseier@uni-duesseldorf.de).

Financial Disclosure: None reported.