Biophysical stimulation induces demyelination via an integrin-dependent mechanism.

Objective: Chronic nerve compression (CNC) injuries occur when peripheral nerves are subjected to sustained mechanical forces, with increasing evidence implicating Schwann cells as key mediators. Integrins, a family of transmembrane adhesion molecules that are capable of intracellular signaling, have been implicated in a variety of biological processes such as myelination and nerve regeneration. In this study, we seek to define the physical stimuli mediating demyelination and to determine whether integrin plays a role in the demyelinating response.