| First Author | Levi-Montalcini R | Year | 1995 |
| Journal | J Neurol Sci | Volume | 130 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | 119-27 |
| PubMed ID | 8586974 | Mgi Jnum | J:26118 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:73740 | Doi | 10.1016/0022-510x(95)00007-o |
| Citation | Levi-Montalcini R, et al. (1995) Update of the NGF saga. J Neurol Sci 130(2):119-27 |
| abstractText | Nerve growth factor (NGF), initially characterized for its survival and differentiating actions on embryonic sensory and sympathetic neurons, is now known to display a greatly extended spectrum of biological functions. NGF exerts a profound modulatory role on sensory nociceptive nerve physiology during adulthood which appears to correlate with hyperalgesic phenomena occurring in tissue inflammation. Other newly detected NGF-responsive cells belong to the hematopoietic-immune and neuroendocrine systems. In particular, mast cells and NGF both appear to be involved in neuroimmune interactions and tissue inflammation, with NGF acting as a general alert molecule capable of recruiting and priming both local tissue and systemic defense processes following stressful events. NGF can thus be viewed as a multifactorial mediator modulating neuroimmune-endocrine functions of vital importance to the regulation of homeostatic interactions, with potential involvement in pathological processes deriving from dysregulation of either local or systemic homeostatic balances. |
