Nerve growth factor: A neurotrophin with activity on cells of the immune system

Numerous studies published in the last two decades provide evidence that ne rve growth factor (NGF), a polypeptide originally discovered because of its neurotrophic activity, acts on a variety of cells of the immune system, in cluding mast cells, eosinophils, and B and T lymphocytes. NGF has been show n to increase during inflammatory responses, autoimmune disorders, parasiti c infections, and allergic diseases. Moreover, stress, which is characteriz ed also by activation of a variety of immune cells, causes a significant in crease in basal plasma NGF levels. Recently published studies reveal that h ematopoietic progenitor cells seem to be able to produce and/or respond to NGF. We report these data and discuss the hypothesis of the possible implic ation of NGF on the functional activities of immune cells, Microsc. Res. Te ch. 45:285-291, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.