Open AccessRita Levi-Montalcini: Presence in The Absence
Author(s) -
Luigi Aloe,
George N. Chaldakov
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
balkan medical journal/balkan medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.398
H-Index - 16
eISSN - 2146-3131
pISSN - 2146-3123
DOI - 10.5152/balkanmedj.2013.003
Subject(s) - nerve growth factor , neurotrophin , tropomyosin receptor kinase a , disease , medicine , neuroscience , neurotrophic factors , prostate cancer , bioinformatics , receptor , cancer , biology
At the end of the 19(th) century, it was envisaged by Santiago Ramon y Cajal, but not, proven, that life at the neuronal level requires trophic support. The proof was obtained in the early 1950's by work initiated by Rita Levi-Montalcini (RLM) discovering the nerve growth factor (NGF). Today, NGF and its relatives, collectively designated neurotrophins, are well recognized as mediators of multiple biological phenomena in health and disease, ranging from the neurotrophic through immunotrophic and epitheliotrophic to metabotrophic effects. Consequently, NGF and other neurotrophins are implicated in the pathogenesis of a large spectrum of neuronal and non-neuronal diseases, from Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases to atherosclerosis and other cardiometabolic diseases. Recent studies demonstrated the therapeutic potentials of NGF in these diseases, including ocular and cutaneous diseases. Furthermore, NGF TrkA receptor antagonists emerged as novel drugs for pain, prostate and breast cancer, melanoma, and urinary bladder syndromes. Altogether, NGF's multiple potential in health and disease is briefly described here.