Nerve growth factor receptor (p75NTR) (NGFR)

The Nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), also known as p75NTR or CD271, is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily that binds all neurotrophins, including Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) (UniProt P08138). It plays a dual role in the nervous system, promoting cell survival when co-expressed with Trk receptors or inducing apoptosis through its intracellular death domain when acting independently (Chao, 2003, Nature Reviews Neuroscience). In clinical applications, a truncated version of NGFR (ΔNGFR) lacking the signaling domain is frequently used as a non-immunogenic surface marker for tracking and selecting genetically modified cells, such as CAR-T cells, because it remains inert while allowing for easy identification (Casucci et al., 2013, Blood). Therapeutically, NGFR and its ligands are targeted in the treatment of chronic pain and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, with several monoclonal antibodies and small molecules like LM11A-31 in development to modulate its signaling (Meeker & Williams, 2015, Progress in Neurobiology). Its role as a marker in various cancers, particularly melanoma and certain sarcomas, also makes it a significant target for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies (PubMed 28651037).

Other names

CD271TNFRSF16p75 neurotrophin receptorLow-affinity nerve growth factor receptorGp80-LNGFRTruncated NGFRΔNGFR

Modulation of neurotrophin signaling through competitive inhibition of ligand binding (e.g., NGF, BDNF) or direct receptor modulation; also utilized as a non-signaling cell-surface selection and tracking marker in gene and cell therapies.