title: The skin neurotrophic network in health and disease.
abstract: Neurotrophins (NTs) belong to a family of structurally and functionally related proteins that, depending on the tissue context and the receptors involved, promote neuronal cell survival and differentiation or cell death. NTs also exert important functions in other organs besides the nervous system, including the skin. The presence in the skin of diverse cell types which are able to secrete and/or to respond to stimulation by NTs creates a unique network of molecular signaling in the cutaneous microenvironment. This review summarizes currently available data on the expression and function of NTs and their receptors in several cell types in the skin (namely, keratinocytes, melanocytes and fibroblasts). The role of the skin NT network in the development and maintenance of some relevant skin diseases is presented and the potential implications for therapeutic intervention are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology, School of Biosciences and Biotechnologies, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Borroni
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Truzzi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pincelli
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors