Anterograde transport of neurotrophic factors: possible therapeutic implications.
The actions of neurotrophic factors are classically thought to be mediated by their retrograde transport from target tissues to the cell bodies. There is now evidence that specific trophic factors are trafficked anterogradely along peripheral and central axons and released to postsynaptic cells. This review focuses on recent experiments that demonstrate the involvement of the anterograde transfer of neurotrophic factors in various physiological processes, including the regulation of developmental neuronal death, the modulation of synaptic transmission, and the control of axonal and dendritic architecture. The authors also discuss whether anterograde transport of exogenous trophic factors can be exploited to protect damaged postsynaptic neurons and spare their function. This issue has clear implications for possible therapeutic applications of neurotrophic factors.
Caleo
Matteo
M
Istituto di Neuroscienze del CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, via G. Moruzzi, 1 - 56100 Pisa, Italy. caleo@in.cnr.it
Cenni
Maria Cristina
MC
D000818:Animals; D001370:Axonal Transport / Q000502:physiology*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors