Nerve growth factor update

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Nerve growth factor induces hyperresponsiveness of the human bronchus

03 Jul 2005 Medical News Today

The nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic factor essential for

the development and survival of neurons. Recent findings propose it

also as an important mediator of inflammation, in particular in the

airways.

This study, undertaken by Nelly Frossard (Inflammation and

environment in asthma, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France)

and her colleagues, describes the role of NGF in the human isolated

bronchus.

Its first finding shows that NGF is released in inflammatory

conditions in the human isolated bronchus. This was determined after

stimulation of the bronchus by a pro-inflammatory mediator. These

inflammatory conditions are known to induce bronchial

hyperresponsiveness, shown as an exaggerated response to exogenous

stimuli, like the sensory bronchoconstrictor agonist substance P.

The second finding reports blockade of this hyperresponsiveness

created by inflammatory conditions by an NGF-blocking antibody, which

indicates that NGF may participate into the hyperresponsiveness

observed in the airways during inflammation.

The last finding concerns the induction by NGF itself of an

hyperresponsiveness of the human bronchus, which suggests a role for

NGF in airway hyperresponsiveness.

In conclusion, this study demonstrates that NGF may participate into

the airway hyperresponsiveness as a link between the nervous and the

immune systems in the human airways, and suggests that NGF might be

active in the airways in asthma.

Title of the original article:

Nerve growth factor is released by IL-1beta and induces

hyperresponsiveness of the human isolated bronchus

http://www.cedos.int.ch