Immunolocalization of vgr (BMP-6, DVR-6), a TGF-beta related cytokine, to Schwann cells of the rat peripheral nervous system: expression patterns are not modulated by autoimmune disease.

The transforming growth factors type beta (TGF-beta) have been implicated in regulation of peripheral nervous system inflammation and regeneration. Here we demonstrate expression of a TGF-beta-related bone morphogenetic protein, the vgr (BMP-6, DVR-6) in Schwann cells of the rat peripheral nervous system. The expression of vgr in the peripheral nervous system suggests that this factor and probably other TGF-beta-related bone morphogenetic proteins might participate in Schwann cell function during aspects of peripheral nervous system physiology and pathology. However, we did not observe changes in expression patterns in response to autoimmune inflammation (experimental autoimmune neuritis) of the peripheral nervous system.