Nerve growth factor modulation of the cavernous nerve response to injury.
BACKGROUND
Surgical therapies for prostate cancer and other pelvic malignancies often result in neuronal damage and debilitating loss of sexual function due to cavernous nerve (CN) trauma. Advances in the neurobiology of growth factors have heightened clinical interest in the development of protective and regenerative neuromodulatory strategies targeting CN recovery following injury.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review was to offer an examination of current and future nerve growth factor (NGF) modulation of the CN response to injury with a focus on brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF), growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5), and neurturin (NTN).


METHODS
Information for this presentation was derived from a current literature search using the National Library of Medicine PubMed Services producing publications relevant to this topic. Search terms included neuroprotection, nerve regeneration, NGFs, neurotrophic factors, BDNF, GDF-5, NTN, and CNs.


METHODS
Basic science studies satisfying the search inclusion criteria were reviewed.


RESULTS
In this session, BDNF, atypical growth factors GDF-5 and NTN, and their potential influence upon CN recovery after injury are reviewed, as are the molecular pathways by which their influence is exerted.


CONCLUSIONS
Compromised CN function is a significant cause of erectile dysfunction development following prostatectomy and serves as the primary target for potential neuroprotective or regenerative strategies utilizing NGFs such as BDNF, GDF-5, and NTN, and/or targeted novel therapeutics modulating signaling pathways.
Bella
Anthony J
AJ
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. abella@ohri.ca
Lin
Guiting
G
Lin
Ching-Shwun
CS
Hickling
Duane R
DR
Morash
Christopher
C
Lue
Tom F
TF
D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000502:physiology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000503:physiopathology; D055428:Growth Differentiation Factor 5 / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D051101:Neurturin / Q000502:physiology; D010413:Penis / Q000293:injuries*
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D055428:Growth Differentiation Factor 5; D051101:Neurturin; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor