RESEARCH: Axonal transport of neurotrophic factors

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Anterograde transport of neurotrophic factors:

possible therapeutic implications.

Caleo M, Cenni MC.

Istituto di Neuroscienze del CNR and Scuola Normale

Superiore, via G. Moruzzi, 1 - 56100 Pisa, Italy.

The actions of neurotrophic factors are classically

thought to be mediated by their retrograde transport

from target tissues to the cell bodies. There is now

evidence that specific trophic factors are trafficked

anterogradely along peripheral and central axons and

released to postsynaptic cells. This review focuses on

recent experiments that demonstrate the involvement of

the anterograde transfer of neurotrophic factors in

various physiological processes, including the

regulation of developmental neuronal death, the

modulation of synaptic transmission, and the control

of axonal and dendritic architecture. The authors also

discuss whether anterograde transport of exogenous

trophic factors can be exploited to protect damaged

postsynaptic neurons and spare their function. This

issue has clear implications for possible therapeutic

applications of neurotrophic factors.

SOURCE: Mol Neurobiol. 2004 Apr;29(2):179-96.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

5126685 & dopt=Abstract