develops from Schwann cell precursor immature Schwann cell 2010-09-24T02:10:31Z A glial cell that develops from a Schwann cell precursor. The immature Schwann cell is embedded among neurons (axons) with minimal extracellular spaces separating them from nerve cell membranes and has a basal lamina. Cells can survive without an axon present. Immature Schwann cell can be found communally ensheathing large groups of axons. The immature Schwann cell is a distinctive, developmental stage in the life cycle of a Schwann cell, which is a type of glial cell that is essential for the formation and maintenance of the myelin sheaths that coat and insulate the axons of neurons, boosting their electrical conducting abilities. The immature Schwann cell represents a transitional phase between the immature, proliferative Schwann cell progenitors and the mature, myelinating Schwann cells. The transition to a mature, fully differentiated state happens under the influence of axonal signals and involves significant changes in gene expression; immature Schwann cells are characterized by specific factors including the expression of the S100 protein, a unique marker that differentiates Schwann cells from other glial cells. Immature Schwann cells have the potential for extensive proliferation, and they actively interact with axons. During the period of synaptic refinement in development, they can respond to neuronal activity and participate in radial sorting of axons. At the same time, immature Schwann cells further modulate the microenvironment, which helps define axonal diameters and spaces. While immature Schwann cells contribute to the initial development and refinement of neural circuits, their maturation to myelinating Schwann cells is vital for the efficient functioning of the mature peripheral nervous system. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0002377 ZFA:0001725 Schwann cell Schwann cell