title: Chapter 17: Transthyretin: an enhancer of nerve regeneration.
abstract: Transthyretin (TTR), a plasma and cerebrospinal fluid protein secreted by the liver and choroid plexus, is mainly known as the physiological carrier of thyroxine (T(4)) and retinol. Under pathological conditions, various TTR mutations are related to familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by deposition of TTR amyloid fibrils, particularly in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), leading to axonal loss and neuronal death. Recently, a number of TTR functions in neurobiology have been described; these may explain the preferential TTR deposition, when mutated, in the PNS of FAP patients. In this respect, and with a particular relevance in the PNS, TTR has been shown to have the ability to enhance neurite outgrowth in vitro and nerve regeneration following injury, in vivo. In the following pages, this novel TTR function, as well as its importance in nerve biology and repair will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Nerve Regeneration Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular-IBMC, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carolina E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Fernando Milhazes
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Mar
authors.forename: Filipa
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Franquinho
authors.forename: Mónica M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sousa
mesh_terms: D028227:Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009154:Mutation; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011228:Prealbumin