title: Nerve Growth Factor: A Focus on Neuroscience and Therapy.
abstract: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the firstly discovered and best characterized neurotrophic factor, known to play a critical protective role in the development and survival of sympathetic, sensory and forebrain cholinergic neurons. NGF promotes neuritis outgrowth both in vivo and in vitro and nerve cell recovery after ischemic, surgical or chemical injuries. Recently, the therapeutic property of NGF has been demonstrated on human cutaneous and corneal ulcers, pressure ulcer, glaucoma, maculopathy and retinitis pigmentosa. NGF eye drops administration is well tolerated, with no detectable clinical evidence of systemic or local adverse effects. The aim of this review is to summarize these biological properties and the potential clinical development of NGF.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council (CNR); NGF Section, Via Fosso di Fiorano, 64/65 - 00143 Rome, Italy. luigi.aloe@cnr.it.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aloe
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rocco
authors.forename: Bijorn Omar
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Balzamino
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Micera
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009488:Neurosciences; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C502240:NGF protein, human; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor