Neurotrophins secreted by the postsynaptic target cell may participate in activity-dependent synaptic modification during development and in the mature brain. A fundamental question of how neurotrophins can sculpt synaptic connections is whether neurotrophin-induced synaptic changes are spatially restricted to the site of neurotrophin secretion or whether they can spread to neighboring synapses...

The Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is the prototypic member of the neurotrophin (NT) family, which plays an essential role in the development and functioning of the vertebrate nervous system. Although originally defined by their actions on neuronal survival and differentiation in the peripheral (PNS) and central nervous systems (CNS), accumulating data indicate the presence of extensive interactions...

The aim of this review is to report recent findings and ongoing studies on the effects of acupuncture on endogenous biological mediators, in particular on neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Acupuncture is a therapeutic technique and is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Western descriptions of the clinical efficacy of acupunc...

Nerve growth factor (NGF), a member of the neurotrophin family, is crucial for survival of nociceptive neurons during development. Recently, it has been shown to play an important role in nociceptive function in adults. NGF is up-regulated after inflammatory injury of the skin. Administration of exogenous NGF either systemically or in the skin causes thermal hyperalgesia within minutes. Mast ce...

We have recently demonstrated that embryonic E16 hippocampal neurons grown in cultures are unable to form fast synaptic connections unless treated with BDNF or NT-3. This experimental system offers an opportunity to define the roles of neurotrophins in processes leading to formation of functional synaptic connections. We have used ultrastructural and electrophysiological methods to explore the ...

The neurotrophins nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, NT-3 (neurotrophin 3) and NT-4 are known for regulating neuron development, function and survival. Beyond this, neurotrophins were found to exert multiple effects on non-neuronal cells such as immune cells, smooth muscle and epithelial cells. In allergic asthma, airway inflammation, airway obstruction, AHR (airway hyperre...

Previous studies using transfected cells have indicated that the mammalian receptor tyrosine kinase trkB binds the neurotrophins brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4. However, most studies demonstrating that these neurotrophins prevent the death of embryonic neurons and have specific neuronal receptors have been performed with chick neurons. In order to explore t...