Peripheral nerve regeneration pathways

Peripheral nerve regeneration pathways encompass multiple, tightly regulated molecular signaling cascades activated after nerve injury. These include growth factor signaling (e.g., NGF, BDNF, GDNF, FGF-2 via their specific receptors), kinase pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, JNK, PKC), transcription factor activity (e.g., BCL11A and others), miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional gene regulation, and immune/cytokine-mediated processes. Together, they coordinate axon regrowth, remyelination, modulation of the inflammatory environment, survival and proliferation of Schwann cells, and restoration of nerve function. Manipulating these pathways provides therapeutic avenues for nerve injuries, but the complexity and redundancy of component processes present translational challenges as well as safety concerns.

Other names

Peripheral nerve regeneration signaling pathwaysPNR pathwaysNerve repair pathwaysNerve regeneration cascades

For pathway components: receptor-ligand activation (growth factors), signal transduction modulation (kinases), gene expression regulation (transcription factors), epigenetic modulation (miRNAs, chromatin modifiers)