Research advances on the role of Schwann cells in diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the common chronic complications of diabetes, resulting in neuropathy of spinal nerve, cranial nerve, and vegetative nerve. Diabetic distal symmetric multiple neuropathy is the most representative lesion of DPN, including symptoms of bilateral limbs pain, numbness, and paresthesia, etc. DPN is one of the main reasons causing diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Schwann cells (SCs) are the primary glia cells of the peripheral nervous system, which play very important role in repairing after nerve injury. As the target cells of chronic hyperglycemia, SCs' functions, including the formation of myelin sheath, the secretion of neurotrophic factors, energy supplying for the axon, and the guidance of axon regeneration, etc., are damaged under the action of high glucose. The destroyed functions of SCs can inhibit the repair of damaged nerves and accelerate the progress of DPN. Therefore, if the damage of high glucose to SCs can be effectively reduced, it will provide a new way for the treatment of DPN and DFU and reduce the morbidity of DFU. This review focuses on the function of SCs and its relationship with DPN.