cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor

Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) is a protein-based, unconventional neurotrophic factor belonging to the CDNF/mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic MANF family. It is primarily expressed in neurons and has potent neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects on midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Unlike classical neurotrophic factors, CDNF functions both as an extracellular trophic factor and as an intracellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) luminal protein that protects cells against ER stress-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, it regulates ER stress-induced unfolded protein response signaling and promotes protein homeostasis in the ER. CDNF has shown efficacy in protecting and repairing dopamine neurons in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD), reducing α-synuclein aggregation, and alleviating behavioral deficits associated with PD models. Clinical trials have demonstrated its safety and tolerability for PD patients[1][3][4][6].

Other names

recombinant human cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor