The synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) in developing skin is independent of innervation

The arrival of sensory fibers in developing mouse skin has been demonstrated to coincide precisely with the initiation of nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis in the skin (Davies et al., 1987). This temporal correlation suggested that the arrival of sensory fibers might initiate NGF synthesis in their target tissues. Here we have eliminated the sensory and motor neurons projecting to the chick leg by the removal of the neural primordia in 3-day-old embryos. The levels of mRNA NGF of intact and denervated leg skin were identical, indicating that the developmental regulation of NGF synthesis in the skin of chick embryos is independent of its innervation.