What Is Nerve Growth Factor?

Nerve growth factor (NGF) can promote the growth, development, differentiation, and maturation of central and peripheral neurons, maintain the normal function of the nervous system, and speed up the repair of the nervous system after injury. NGF is widely distributed in various tissues and organs of the body (including the brain). The concentration in the target tissue is related to the density and mRNA content of sympathetic and sensory nerve branches in the target area.

Basic Information

Chinese name

Nerve growth factor

Foreign name

NGF

Category

Neurotrophic factor

Attribution

biology

Types of

Nerve cell growth regulator

Nerve growth factor nerve growth factor family

Nerve growth factor family includes: nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3, neurotrophin-4 / 5, neurotrophin-6 and neurotrophin-7, etc., mainly the first four. NGF is the most important type in the nerve growth factor family. It exists mainly in the form of precursors in tissues, and is processed into the mature NGF in the submandibular glands.

Biological effects of nerve growth factor

Nutritional nerve

During a certain period of embryonic development, NGF is necessary for the survival of effector neurons. NGF and its receptors are widely distributed in the central nervous system. NGF produced by the hippocampus and cerebral cortex can be retrogradely transported to the basal nucleus of the forebrain through cholinergic nerves to maintain the survival and function of cholinergic neurons. In early embryonic development, the central NGF content determines the density of cholinergic nerves.

2. Protect the nerves

When NGF's effecting neurons are damaged, such as trauma, drug damage, and even ischemia, hypoxia, etc., neurons will undergo a series of pathological changes, including death. NGF can inhibit the above-mentioned nerve injury. The possible mechanisms are: inhibit the release of toxic amino acids; inhibit the overload of calcium ions; inhibit the release of superoxide free radicals; inhibit the mechanisms such as apoptosis to significantly reduce or prevent these secondary The occurrence of sexual pathological damage.

3. Promote nerve regeneration

Giving NGF after cutting off axons will reduce the degeneration and death of certain neurons, which will undoubtedly help increase the possibility of axon regeneration. At the same time, it also affects the time when axonal regeneration begins, the number of neurons involved in regeneration, and the quality and speed of regenerating nerves.

4. Other functions

(1) NGF can affect the activity of immune cells, thereby regulating the function of the immune system.

(2) NGF can inhibit the mitosis of some tumors and promote their benign differentiation.

(3) NGF promotes the repair response of wound tissue and promotes wound healing.

Clinical significance of nerve growth factor

Nerve growth factor is effective in the treatment of many diseases. It is particularly effective in delaying neurodegenerative lesions or stimulating the growth of motor nerves in patients with spinal cord injury; nerve growth factors have also been used to accelerate burn recovery, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, treat pressure ulcers and eradicate corneal ulcers.