Nerve growth factor (NGF) (NGF)

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a secreted protein and neurotrophin essential for the development and survival of sympathetic and sensory neurons (UniProt P01138). It functions by binding to two distinct receptors: the high-affinity tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) and the low-affinity p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) (PubMed: 11489444). In adults, NGF plays a critical role in pain signaling, where it is upregulated during inflammation and sensitizes nociceptors to painful stimuli (PubMed: 24054883). This makes NGF a significant therapeutic target for chronic pain conditions, such as osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. Monoclonal antibodies like tanezumab and fasinumab have been developed to sequester NGF and prevent its binding to receptors, thereby providing analgesia (ClinicalTrials.gov). Conversely, recombinant human NGF (cenegermin) is used as a replacement therapy to treat neurotrophic keratitis by promoting corneal nerve regeneration (FDA). Safety concerns for anti-NGF therapies include a risk of rapidly progressive osteoarthritis, particularly when used in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The phrase "associated neuronal markers" likely refers to the receptors TrkA and p75NTR or other markers like NeuN and MAP2 used to characterize NGF-responsive neuronal populations.

Other names

Beta-nerve growth factorNGFBBeta-NGFHSAN5

Sequestration of NGF by monoclonal antibodies to prevent receptor binding and nociceptor sensitization, or agonism of TrkA/p75NTR receptors via recombinant NGF.