The Neurotrophin Receptor p75 NTR as a Positive Modulator of Myelination

Abstract

Schwann cells in developing and regenerating peripheral nerves express elevated levels of the neurotrophin receptor p75^NTR. Neurotrophins are key mediators of peripheral nervous system myelination. Our results show that myelin formation is inhibited in the absence of functional p75^NTR and enhanced by blocking TrkC activity. Moreover, the enhancement of myelin formation by endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor is mediated by the p75^NTR receptor, whereas TrkC receptors are responsible for neurotrophin-3 inhibition. Thus p75^NTR and TrkC receptors have opposite effects on myelination.