title: Nerve growth factor as an angiogenic factor.
abstract: Nerve growth factor (NGF), a neurotrophin that plays a crucial role in promoting neurotrophic and neurotropic effects in sympathetic neurons, has recently been identified as a novel angiogenic molecule, which exerts a variety of effects in the cardiovascular system and on endothelial cells. In fact, NGF may contribute to maintenance, survival, and function of endothelial cells by autocrine and/or paracrine mechanisms. This review summarizes the involvement of NGF in the regulation of angiogenesis in both normal and pathological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, Policlinico, 70124 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nico
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mangieri
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Benagiano
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Crivellato
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ribatti
mesh_terms: D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D042501:Angiogenic Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor