Presence and possible functional role of nerve growth factor in the thymus.
We have previously reported that the nerve growth factor (NGF), a polypeptide known for its neurotrophic activities, is also involved in proliferation, growth and survival of cells of the immune system. Working with animal models, we found that NGF and NGF-receptors (NGF-r) are present in the cells of the medullary layer of the thymus, a lymphoid gland involved in the production and differentiation of T-lymphocytes. Using immunohistochemical and biochemical approaches, we also showed that the expression of NGF in the thymus is high during late prenatal life and decreases later in postnatal life. A significant alteration of NGF levels was also found during pregnancy and aging, two events characterized by thymic involution. The aim of this study is to investigate whether NGF and NGF-r expression in the thymus are influenced by immuno- and neuro-pathological events. These observations will be presented and discussed.
Turrini
P
P
Institute of Neurobiology, CNR, Rome, Italy.
Zaccaria
M L
ML
Aloe
L
L
D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor