title: Human monocyte/macrophages activate by exposure to LPS overexpress NGF and NGF receptors.
abstract: Monocyte/macrophages (M/M) represent the main cellular component of the immune system involved in the inflammatory response. In the present study we investigate whether NGF is produced by M/M and is involved in this event. The results show that unstimulated human M/M produce NGF and its synthesis is stimulated by LPS. The increase of NGF is associated with enhanced expression of high affinity NGF receptor on M/M and with no changes of low affinity NGF receptors (p75). The neutralization of endogenous NGF by NGF antibody in LPS-activated M/M, leads to overexpression of p75 receptor causing apoptosis. These findings provide new insight in the mechanisms governing monocyte survival in the inflamed tissue, representing a crucial aspect of host defence and maintenance of homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacobiology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Caroleo
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bracci-Laudiero
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aloe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor