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Presence and possible functional role of nerve growth factor in the thymus.
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2001
Year
Peripheral Nerve InjuryImmunologyPeripheral NerveImmune SystemPeripheral NervesPeripheral Nervous SystemPossible Functional RoleNeuroimmunologyThymus BiologyHealth SciencesGrowth HormoneAllergyAutoimmune DiseaseAutoimmunityNgf LevelsNervous SystemEndocrinologyDevelopmental BiologyPhysiologyNerve Growth FactorNeuroscienceCentral Nervous SystemThyroid HormoneMedicine
We have previously reported that the nerve growth factor (NGF), a polypeptide known for its neurotrophic activities, is also involved in proliferation, growth and survival of cells of the immune system. Working with animal models, we found that NGF and NGF-receptors (NGF-r) are present in the cells of the medullary layer of the thymus, a lymphoid gland involved in the production and differentiation of T-lymphocytes. Using immunohistochemical and biochemical approaches, we also showed that the expression of NGF in the thymus is high during late prenatal life and decreases later in postnatal life. A significant alteration of NGF levels was also found during pregnancy and aging, two events characterized by thymic involution. The aim of this study is to investigate whether NGF and NGF-r expression in the thymus are influenced by immuno- and neuro-pathological events. These observations will be presented and discussed.