在外周神经系统（PNS）中的雪旺细胞对轴突的支持和髓鞘化至关重要，确保中枢神经系统和周围之间快速、准确的通信。雪旺细胞和相关胶质细胞陪伴着几乎所有体内上行神经元，它们表现出出色的可塑性和以非凡的方式调节病理。在此，我们简要概述了PNS中各种胶质细胞类型，并描述了支持雪旺细胞执行它们经典功能的基础细胞和分子过程。然后，我们深入讨论了雪旺细胞和相关PNS胶质细胞的令人兴奋的非经典功能，包括它们在组织结构、调节突触活动和疼痛感受、调节免疫、提供不同器官的干细胞库以及在影响癌症方面的作用。

Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) are essential for the support and myelination of axons, ensuring fast and accurate communication between the central nervous system and the periphery. Schwann cells and related glia accompany innervating axons in virtually all tissues in the body, where they exhibit remarkable plasticity and the ability to modulate pathology in extraordinary, and sometimes surprising, ways. Here, we provide a brief overview of the various glial cell types in the PNS and describe the cornerstone cellular and molecular processes that enable Schwann cells to perform their canonical functions. We then dive into discussing exciting noncanonical functions of Schwann cells and related PNS glia, which include their role in organizing the PNS, in regulating synaptic activity and pain, in modulating immunity, in providing a pool of stem cells for different organs, and, finally, in influencing cancer.