Nerve growth factor induces airway hyperresponsiveness in mice.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies indicated an upregulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) production during allergic inflammation. However, the function of NGF in the lungs is currently poorly understood. It was suggested that NGF could play an important role in the pathophysiology of airway hyperresponsiveness. The regulatory network between immunological events and altered neuronal control of airway smooth muscle contractility remains to be defined.


METHODS
NGF was delivered into the airways of mice either by nasal instillation or by genetic engineering. Airway reactivity was then measured by electrical field stimulation.


RESULTS
Treatment of mice with NGF induced airway hyperresponsiveness to a similar extent as demonstrated in allergen-sensitized mice. NGF-transgenic mice, overexpressing NGF in Clara cells, were hyperreactive in comparison to wild-type mice.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that NGF by itself determines the induction of airway hyperresponsiveness in the absence of airway inflammation in mice.
Braun
A
A
Abteilung für Klinische Chemie und Molekulare Diagnostik, Klinikum der Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany. braunar@post.med.uni-marburg.de
Quarcoo
D
D
Schulte-Herbrüggen
O
O
Lommatzsch
M
M
Hoyle
G
G
Renz
H
H
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000139:chemically induced*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation
D020932:Nerve Growth Factor