Braun A, Quarcoo D, Schulte-Herbrüggen O, Lommatzsch M, Hoyle G, Renz H
Abteilung für Klinische Chemie und Molekulare Diagnostik, Klinikum der Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2001 Jan-Mar;124(1-3):205-7. doi: 10.1159/000053711.
Previous studies indicated an upregulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) production during allergic inflammation. However, the function of NGF in the lungs is currently poorly understood. It was suggested that NGF could play an important role in the pathophysiology of airway hyperresponsiveness. The regulatory network between immunological events and altered neuronal control of airway smooth muscle contractility remains to be defined.
NGF was delivered into the airways of mice either by nasal instillation or by genetic engineering. Airway reactivity was then measured by electrical field stimulation.
Treatment of mice with NGF induced airway hyperresponsiveness to a similar extent as demonstrated in allergen-sensitized mice. NGF-transgenic mice, overexpressing NGF in Clara cells, were hyperreactive in comparison to wild-type mice.
These data suggest that NGF by itself determines the induction of airway hyperresponsiveness in the absence of airway inflammation in mice.
先前的研究表明，在过敏性炎症期间神经生长因子（NGF）的产生会上调。然而，目前对NGF在肺部的功能了解甚少。有人提出，NGF可能在气道高反应性的病理生理学中起重要作用。免疫事件与气道平滑肌收缩性改变的神经元控制之间的调节网络仍有待确定。
通过滴鼻或基因工程将NGF递送至小鼠气道。然后通过电场刺激测量气道反应性。
用NGF治疗小鼠诱导的气道高反应性程度与变应原致敏小鼠相似。在克拉拉细胞中过表达NGF的NGF转基因小鼠与野生型小鼠相比反应性更高。
这些数据表明，在小鼠不存在气道炎症的情况下，NGF自身可决定气道高反应性的诱导。
