Inhibition of N-cadherin and beta-catenin function reduces axon-induced Schwann cell proliferation

N-cadherin and beta-catenin have been postulated to have a dual role in cell adhesion and on cell cycle in different physiological and developmental stages and in various disease mechanisms. Little is known about the function of N-cadherin or beta-catenin in cell proliferation, cell death and cell adhesion in Schwann cells (SCs). We inhibited N-cadherin function using low Ca++ conditions and blocking antibodies and reduced beta-catenin expression using small interfering RNA (siRNA) in cultured adult rat-derived SCs and in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cocultures. N-cadherin function blocking as well as beta-catenin…