Normal rate of Schwann cell proliferation in the MBP-deficient shiverer mouse during Wallerian degeneration.

Myelin basic protein (MBP) processed by macrophages was reported to promote Schwann cell division during Wallerian degeneration. In the present study we have shown that there was no difference in the rate of Schwann cell proliferation between shiverer mice, which totally lack MBP, and control mice after nerve-transection. Furthermore, addition of autologous peritoneal macrophages in cultures led to enhanced thymidine uptake by Schwann cells, irrespective of the presence or absence of MBP. These results suggest that myelin components other than MBP play a role in Schwann cell proliferation induced by macrophages.