Neurotrophins and the immune system

The neurotrophins are a family of polypeptide growth factors that are essential for the development and maintenance of the vertebrate nervous system. In recent years, data have emerged indicating that neurotrophins could have a broader role than their name might suggest. In particular, the putative...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of anatomy 2003-07, Vol.203 (1), p.1-19
Main Authors: Vega, José A., García‐Suárez, Olivia, Hannestad, Jonas, Pérez‐Pérez, Marta, Germanà, Antonino
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bursa of Fabricius - chemistry
Humans
Immune System - metabolism
Immune System Diseases - metabolism
immunocompetent cells
Lymph Nodes - chemistry
Lymphocytes - immunology
lymphoid organs
Mice
Mice, Transgenic
Nerve Growth Factors - analysis
Nerve Growth Factors - genetics
Nerve Growth Factors - physiology
neurotrophins
p75NTR
Palatine Tonsil - chemistry
Peyer's Patches - chemistry
Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor - metabolism
Review
RNA, Messenger - analysis
Spleen - chemistry
Thymus Gland - chemistry
Thymus Gland - growth & development
Thymus Gland - metabolism
Trk receptors
Vertebrates - immunology
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Summary:The neurotrophins are a family of polypeptide growth factors that are essential for the development and maintenance of the vertebrate nervous system. In recent years, data have emerged indicating that neurotrophins could have a broader role than their name might suggest. In particular, the putative role of NGF and its receptor TrkA in immune system homeostasis has become a much studied topic, whereas information on the other neurotrophins is scarce in this regard. This paper reviews what is known about the expression and possible functions of neurotrophins and their receptors in different immune tissues and cells, as well as recent data obtained from studies of transgenic mice in our laboratory. Results from studies to date support the idea that neurotrophins may regulate some immune functions. They also play an important role in the development of the thymus and in the survival of thymocytes.
ISSN:0021-8782
1469-7580
DOI:10.1046/j.1469-7580.2003.00203.x