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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Strategies for Study of Neuroprotection from Cold-preconditioning
Published on: September 2, 2010
Interpreting crosstalk between TNF-alpha and NGF: potential implications for disease
Yoshinori Takei1, Ronald Laskey
1Medical Research Council (MRC) Cancer Cell Unit, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Hills Road Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK. yt215@cam.ac.uk
Abstract:
Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a proinflammatory cytokine, whereas nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin that can promote neural cell survival, differentiation and maturation. However, recent papers indicate that TNF-alpha has a pivotal role in fate decisions of neural cells in normal noninflammatory conditions, whereas NGF contributes to maintenance of inflammation. Although these observations suggest a close relationship between NGF and TNF-alpha signalling, crosstalk between these factors is not fully understood. In this Opinion article, we review recent reports regarding possible crosstalk between NGF and TNF-alpha and we propose a positive-feedback loop of their expression. We discuss the possible mechanisms by which disturbance of the crosstalk could contribute to diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
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