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Nerve Growth Factor

Nerve Growth Factor molecule
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The Salimetrics Research Library

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NGF
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Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a member of a family of small secreted proteins known as neurotropins that function as signaling molecules.  They are important for the growth, maintenance, and survival of neural cells. (1,2,3)  In addition, NGF has been associated with functional activities of cells of the immune and endocrine systems. (4,5)  NGF appears to act as an inflammatory mediator.  It is secreted by various cells in the lungs and by infiltrating inflammatory cells in the bronchial mucosa, playing a possible role in asthma. (6)  NGF is also thought to be involved in the development of cardiovascular disease, neuropsychiatric diseases, wound healing, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. (7,8,9,10,11,12)  NGF and its receptors are also involved in the control of the proliferation and apoptosis of other cell types and therefore of central interest to cancer research. (13,14)  More »

Emotional stress induced by parachute jumping has been shown to increase blood levers of NGF, and stress related increases in NGF have been related to outbreaks of inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis,  to hair growth inhibition, and to irritable bowel syndrome. (15,16,17,18)  NGF has been measured in human glandular saliva, and research with mouse submandibular gland saliva has suggested that release of NGF into saliva is regulated through α-adrenergic receptors. (19,20,21)

References

  1. He, X., Garcia, K.C. (2004).  Structure of nerve growth factor complexed with the shared neurotropin receptor p75.  Science, 304(5672), 870-75.
  2. Sofroniew, M.V., Howe, C.L., Mobley, W.C. (2001).  Nerve growth factor signaling, neuroprotection, and neural repair.  Annu Rev Neurosci, 24, 1217-81.
  3. Lindsay, R.M. (1988).  Nerve growth factors (NGF, BDNF) enhance axonal regeneration but are not require for survival of adult sensory neurons.  J Neurosci, 8(7), 2394-405.
  4. Fiore, M., Chaldakov, G.N., Aloe, L. (2009).  Nerve growth factor as a signaling molecule for nerve cells and also for the neuroendocrine-immune systems.  Rev Neurosci, 20(2), 133-45.
  5. Bonini, S., Rasi, G., Bracci-Laudiero, M.L., et al. (2003).  Nerve growth factor: Neurotrophin or cytokine?  Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 131(2), 80-84.
  6. Freund, V., Frossard, N.  (2008).  The nerve growth factor and its receptors in airway inflammatory diseases.  Pharmacol Therapeutics, 117(1), 52-76.
  7. Chaldakov, G.N., Fiore, M., Stankulov, I.S., et al. (2004). Neurotrophin presence in human coronary atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome: A role for NGF and BDNF in cardiovascular disease? Progress Brain Res, 146, 279-89.
  8. Chaldakov, G.N., Tonchev, A.B., Aloe, L. (2009).  NGF and BDNF: From nerves to adipose tissue, from neurokines to metabokines.  Riv Psichiatr, 44(2), 79-87.
  9. Kawamoto, K., Matsuda, H. (2004).  Nerve growth factor and wound healing.  Progress Brain Res, 146, 369-84.
  10. Counts, S.E., Mufson, E.J. (2005). The role of nerve growth factor receptors in cholinergic basal forebrain degeneration in prodromal Alzheimer disease.  J Neuropathol Exp Neurol, 64(4), 263-72.
  11. Volosin, M., Song, W., Almeida, R.D., et al. (2006).  Interaction of survival and death signaling in basal forebrain neurons: Roles of neurotrophins and proneurotrophins.  J Neurosci, 26(29), 7756-66.
  12. Chaldakov, G.N., Fiore, M., Tonchev, A.B., et al. (2007).  Homo obesus: A metabotrophin-deficient species. Pharmacology and nutrition insight.  Curr Pharm Des, 13(21), 2176-79.
  13. Adriaenssens, E., Vanhecke, E., Saule, P., et al. (2008).  Nerve growth factor is a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.  Cancer Res, 68(2), 346-51.
  14. Arrighi, N., Bodei, S., Zani, D., et al. (2010).  Nerve growth factor signaling in prostate health and disease.  Growth Factors, 28(3), 191-201.
  15. Aloe, L., Bracci-Laudiero, L., Alleva, E., et al. (1994).  Emotional stress induced by parachute jumping enhances blood nerve growth factor levels and the distribution of nerve growth factor receptors in lymphocytes.  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 91(22), 10440-44.
  16. Zoumakis, E., Kalantaridou, S.N., Chrousos, G.P. (2007).  The ‘brain-skin connection’: Nerve growth factor-dependent pathways for stress-induced skin disorders.  J Mol Med, 85(12), 1347-49.
  17. Peters, E.M., Arck, P.C., Paus, R. (2006). Hair growth inhibition by psychoemotional stress: A mouse model for neural mechanisms in hair growth control.  Exp Dermatol, 15(1), 1-13.
  18. Akbar, A., Walters, J.R., Ghosh, S. (2009).  Review article: Visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic agents.  Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 30(5), 423-35.
  19. Nam, J.W., Chung, J.W., Kho, H.S., et al. (2006).  Nerve growth factor concentration in human saliva.  Oral Dis, 13(2), 187-92.
  20. Glantz, P.-O., Meenaghan, M.A., Hyun, K.H., Wirth, S.M. (1989).  On the presence and localization of epidermal and nerve growth factors in human whole saliva.  Acta Odontol Scand, 47(5), 287-92.
  21. Wallace, L.J., Partlow, L.M. (1976).  α-Adrenergic regulation of secretion of mouse saliva rich in nerve growth factor.  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 73(11), 4210-14.

NGF Overview

Approved Salivary Collection Devices Serum-Saliva Correlation Sensitivity Sample Test Volume Recommended Collection Volume Special Considerations Related Analytes
No7.8 pg/mL 100 μL 125 μL* No

*In addition to the volume recommended for each analyte, we recommend collecting an additional 300 μL to allow for liquid handling loss and possible repeat tests (500 µl recommended for TNF-α and IL-1β).

Salimetrics Products and Services for NGF

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