Double myelination of axons in the sympathetic nervous system

Summary

Relationships between axons and Schwann cells in myelinated fibres of the superior cervical (sympathetic) ganglion have been examined in normal adult rats. In cross-sections through the ganglion up to 4 % of myelinated fibres were focally encircled by an additional myelinating Schwann cell, forming regions termed ‘double myelination’. In these regions and elsewhere in the ganglion, the structure of the inner fibre (axon and myelinating Schwann cell) conformed to the relationships expected on the basis of numerous previous investigations on normal peripheral nerve. However, the outer Schwann cell and myelin sheath, which formed an annulus around the inner fibre, was remarkable in that it apparently made no direct contact either with the centrally enclosed axon or with any neighbouring axon, yet appeared largely if not completely intact. In addition, the increasing frequency of double myelination in older animals and the rarity of myelin degeneration in the same ganglia indicate that the outer Schwann cell, and in particular its myelin sheath, persist for some period in an isolated form. Double myelination was not located in non-sympathetic peripheral nerve samples from the same animals. Double myelination may result from the displacement of one myelin internode by the interposition of another Schwann cell rendering the original Schwann cell redundant. There was no involvement of haematogenous cells as occurs in some demyelinating conditions. While some parallels may be found with previous studies, this would appear to be the first report of apparent survival of myelin in a Schwann cell not making, as far as could be determined in the present study, at least partial direct axonal contact. These observations on sympathetic nerve may provide a new perspective on axon-Schwann cell signalling.