Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) and nerve growth factor receptors (NGFRs) play important roles in tissue remodeling during the would healing process of the skin, oral and paranasal mucosa, and cornea. The interactions between NGF and NGFRs are influenced by or interact with a number of molecules in the tissue remodeling process, in which key niche components are varieties of growth factors and their receptors, including NGF and NGFR. In addition to those interactions mentioned above, cell-cell contacts as well as cell-matrix interactions have also been considered to promote wound healing events. The present review focuses on the pathophysiological roles of NGF and NGFR in saliva and salivary glands, and in tear and lacrimal glands under inflammatory and tissue remodeling conditions, as well as their expression profiles in various kinds of cells including mast cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, and those involved in angiogenesis. Finally, we describe how the expression modes of NGF and NGFR regulate the peripheral nerve fiber growth and stimulate wound healing or tissue remodeling in the organs or tissues mentioned above as well as in pressure wounds and diabetic skin lesions. Based on these lines of evidence, we emphasize that NGF and NGFR could represent new and powerful regimens for treatment of tissue injuries.
