Update of the NGF saga.
Nerve growth factor (NGF), initially characterized for its survival and differentiating actions on embryonic sensory and sympathetic neurons, is now known to display a greatly extended spectrum of biological functions. NGF exerts a profound modulatory role on sensory nociceptive nerve physiology during adulthood which appears to correlate with hyperalgesic phenomena occurring in tissue inflammation. Other newly detected NGF-responsive cells belong to the hematopoietic-immune and neuroendocrine systems. In particular, mast cells and NGF both appear to be involved in neuroimmune interactions and tissue inflammation, with NGF acting as a general "alert" molecule capable of recruiting and priming both local tissue and systemic defense processes following stressful events. NGF can thus be viewed as a multifactorial mediator modulating neuroimmune-endocrine functions of vital importance to the regulation of homeostatic interactions, with potential involvement in pathological processes deriving from dysregulation of either local or systemic homeostatic balances.
Levi-Montalcini
R
R
Institute of Neurobiology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy.
Dal Toso
R
R
della Valle
F
F
Skaper
S D
SD
Leon
A
A
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors