title: New insights on the involvement of Nerve Growth Factor in allergic inflammation and fibrosis.
abstract: Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), that was originally discovered for its properties of stimulating growth and differentiation of neurons, is now also considered responsible for several activities in the immune system and beyond. Mast cells and eosinophils, key cells of allergic inflammation, are a source of NGF and are influenced by it. These observations have prompted studies on NGF in allergy and tissue repair. Recent evidences link NGF and these two processes. While NGF is clearly a new tool in the management of untreatable ulcers, its role in allergic inflammation, although appearing to be pro-inflammatory, is still not clearly defined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12065, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Micera
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Puxeddu
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aloe
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Levi-Schaffer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D020932:Nerve Growth Factor