Neuroblastoma is a tumor of postganglionic sympathetic origin, and nerve growth factor (NGF) is normally required for the survival and differentiation of sympathetic neuroblasts. Since the biological activity of NGF is mediated by the NGF receptor (NGFR), we hypothesized that defects in the NGF/NGFR pathway may play a role in maintenance of the undifferentiated state of neuroblastomas. To test ...

The immunotoxin 192 IgG-saporin, produced by coupling the ribosome-inactivating protein saporin to the monoclonal 192 IgG antibody against the low-affinity p75 NGF receptor (NGFr), was injected into the cerebral ventricle, septal area, and substantia innominata of adult rats. Injections into the cerebral ventricle induced a complete loss of NGFr-positive basal forebrain neurons and their axons....

Background Umbilical cord blood (UCB) represents a promising source of T cells for the generation ‘off-the-shelf’ engineered to express chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). This study is aimed at understanding composition cell subsets within UCB-CAR-T cells. Methods cells, either from UCB or peripheral mononuclear (PBMCs) healthy donors, were activated in vitro with CD3/CD28 mAbs conjugated magneti...

An array of polypeptide growth factors contribute to the development of breast cancer, the most common tumor-related cause of death in women of Western countries. Therefore, breast cancer therapy should be aimed at inhibition of growth factor-dependent breast cancerous cell proliferation. However, the relative contribution of each individual factor in the development and maintenance of the tran...

1. Reduction of renal perfusion pressure from 133 mmHg to 117 mmHg in control rats did not induce a significant change of kidney glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or nephron GFR determined in distal tubules. In contrast, nephron GFR measured in proximal tubular segments (NGFR-P) fell significantly. 2. Qualitatively the same response of filtration rate to changes of arterial blood pressure was fo...

The effects on anatomy and behavior of a ribosomal inactivating protein (saporin) coupled to a monoclonal antibody against the low-affinity NGF receptor (NGFr) were examined. In adult rats, NGFr is expressed predominantly in cholinergic neurons of the medial septal area (MSA), diagonal band nuclei, and nucleus basalis magnocellularis (nBM), but also in noncholinergic cerebellar Purkinje cells. ...

Both Reelin and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) exert crucial roles in retinal development. Retinogenesis is severely impaired in E-reeler mice, a model of Reelin deficiency showing specific Green Fluorescent Protein expression in Rod Bipolar Cells (RBCs). Since no data are available on Reelin and NGF cross-talk, NGF and trkA(NGFR)/ p75(NTR) expression was investigated in retinas from E-reeler versus...

The B lymphotrophic γ-herpesvirus EBV is associated with a variety of lymphoid- and epithelial-derived malignancies, including B cell lymphomas in immunocompromised and immunosuppressed individuals. The primary oncogene of EBV, latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), activates the PI3K/Akt pathway to induce the autocrine growth factor, IL-10, in EBV-infected B cells, but the mechanisms underlying PI3...

Hypothalamic neurons control a variety of important hormonal and behavioral functions. Little is known, however, about the neurotrophic factors that these neurons may require for survival and/or maintenance of their differentiated functions. We conducted experiments to examine this issue, utilizing a combination of immunohistochemical, in situ hybridization and cell culture approaches. We found...

STUDY QUESTION Are brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptors, NTRK2, NGFR and SORT1, regulated by ovarian steroids in the uterus? SUMMARY ANSWER BDNF and its low affinity receptor, nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), are regulated by estradiol in the uterus. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Recent studies have revealed a central role for neurotrophins in placental development, endome...