Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic polypeptide necessary for the survival and growth of some central neurons, as well as sensory afferent and sympathetic neurons. Much is known of the structural and functional characters of NGF, whose gene has recently been cloned. Despite of its name, NGF has been shown to elicit broader biologic effects on non-neuronal tissues. For example, NGF causes augmentation of lymphocyte mitogenesis, induces shape changes in platelets and degranulation of peritoneal mast cells, and accelerates wound healing. We explored the effects of NGF on human and murine hemopoietic colony formation, with particular emphasis on basophil/mast cell colonies. We also found that NGF enhanced the survival, phagocytosis and superoxide production of murine neutrophils.
These observations raise the possibility of even broader biologic actions of NGF on both allergic and non-allergic inflammatory processes.
