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Review
. 2024 Mar 15;46(3):2528-2543.
doi: 10.3390/cimb46030160.

The Influence of Neurotrophins on the Brain-Lung Axis: Conception, Pregnancy, and Neonatal Period

Federica D'Amico  1 , Cecilia Lugarà  1 , Giovanni Luppino  1 , Carlo Giuffrida  1 , Ylenia Giorgianni  1 , Eleonora Maria Patanè  1 , Sara Manti  1 , Antonella Gambadauro  1 , Mariarosaria La Rocca  1 , Tiziana Abbate  1
Affiliations
Review

The Influence of Neurotrophins on the Brain-Lung Axis: Conception, Pregnancy, and Neonatal Period

Federica D'Amico et al. Curr Issues Mol Biol. .

Abstract

Neurotrophins (NTs) are four small proteins produced by both neuronal and non-neuronal cells; they include nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4). NTs can exert their action through both genomic and non-genomic mechanisms by interacting with specific receptors. Initial studies on NTs have identified them only as functional molecules of the nervous system. However, recent research have shown that some tissues and organs (such as the lungs, skin, and skeletal and smooth muscle) as well as some structural cells can secrete and respond to NTs. In addition, NTs perform several roles in normal and pathological conditions at different anatomical sites, in both fetal and postnatal life. During pregnancy, NTs are produced by the mother, placenta, and fetus. They play a pivotal role in the pre-implantation process and in placental and embryonic development; they are also involved in the development of the brain and respiratory system. In the postnatal period, it appears that NTs are associated with some diseases, such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Keywords: BPD; CCHS; NTs; SIDS; airway; brain–lung axis; neurodevelopment; neurotrophins.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
NT and newborns diseases.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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