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Nerve Growth Factor (NGF): An Important Molecule for Trophism and Healing of the Ocular Surface

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Lacrimal Gland, Tear Film, and Dry Eye Syndromes 3

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 506))

Abstract

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the best-characterized neurotrophin, required for the development and survival of selected neurons including sympathetic and sensory neurons.1 NGF furnishes trophic support after neuronal injuries and reverses pathological changes induced by peripheral nerve injury.2 The biological action of NGF is not restricted to cells of neuronal origin but extends to cells of the immune system.3 In vitro and in vivo studies have shown NGF induces mast cell differentiation, degranulation and mediator release, suppresses leukotriene C4 formation from eosinophils and stimulates T and B lymphocyte proliferation and activation.4 We recently demonstrated a basal production of NGF by T-helper (Th-0, Th-1 and Th-2) cell clones in vitro and an increased production of NGF by Th-2 lymphocytes after activation.5 These findings support the clinical evidence of high circulating NGF levels in autoimmune and allergic diseases in humans.6‘7 In the last 5 years we focused our research on NGF’s role in the modulation of healing and inflammation on the ocular surface. This paper reviews experimental and clinical data of NGF in health and disease of the external eye.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata” and the G.B. Bietti Eye Foundation, Italy

    Stefano Bonini, Ambra Lamagna & Alessandro Lambiase

  2. Institute of Neurobiology, CNR, Rome, Italy

    Luigi Aloe

  3. Department of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, II, University of Naples, Italy

    Sergio Bonini

  4. Department of Ophthalmology, S. Raffaele, Milan, Italy

    Paolo Rama

Authors
  1. Stefano Bonini
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  2. Luigi Aloe
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  3. Sergio Bonini
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  4. Paolo Rama
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  5. Ambra Lamagna
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  6. Alessandro Lambiase
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    David A. Sullivan , Darlene A. Dartt  & Rose M. Sullivan ,  & 

  2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    David A. Sullivan  & Darlene A. Dartt  & 

  3. Allergan, Inc., Irvine, California, USA

    Michael E. Stern

  4. Tokyo Dental College, Chiba, Japan

    Kazuo Tsubota

  5. Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba, Japan

    Kazuo Tsubota

  6. University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

    B. Britt Bromberg

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© 2002 Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers

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Bonini, S., Aloe, L., Bonini, S., Rama, P., Lamagna, A., Lambiase, A. (2002). Nerve Growth Factor (NGF): An Important Molecule for Trophism and Healing of the Ocular Surface. In: Sullivan, D.A., Stern, M.E., Tsubota, K., Dartt, D.A., Sullivan, R.M., Bromberg, B.B. (eds) Lacrimal Gland, Tear Film, and Dry Eye Syndromes 3. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 506. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0717-8_75

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0717-8_75

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-5208-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-0717-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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