c-Kit receptor expression in normal human Schwann cells and Schwann cell lines derived from neurofibromatosis type 1 tumors

The growth factor receptor c‐Kit has several well‐characterized functions during the development of numerous cell types, including red blood cells, mast cells, and melanocytes. Its role in Schwann cells has been described in transformed cells derived from malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors from patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1 MPNST; Badache et al. [1998] Oncogene 17:795–800). However, c‐Kit functions have not been investigated in normal Schwann cells. We report here that neonatal rat Schwann cells express low c‐Kit levels, whereas expression levels for c‐Kit are high for Schwann cells derived from MPNST of NF1 patients. In addition, c‐Kit expression is not detectable in normal adult human Schwann cells. Although the c‐Kit ligand stem cell factor (SCF) induces the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (or Akt) and prevents apoptosis in Schwann cells, SCF has no effect on the proliferation or differentiation of Schwann cells. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.