Retinoic acid regulates myelin formation in the peripheral nervous system.

Understanding the mechanisms that control myelin formation is essential for the development of demyelinating diseases treatments. All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) plays an essential role during the development of the nervous system as a potent regulator of morphogenesis, cell growth, and differentiation. In this study, we show that RA is also a potent inhibitor of peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelination.