Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 3, 2025
06:04
Ex Vivo Oculomotor Slice Culture from Embryonic GFP-Expressing Mice for Time-Lapse Imaging of Oculomotor Nerve Outgrowth
Published on: July 16, 2019
8.7K
Growth Factors as Axon Guidance Molecules: Lessons From in vitro Studies
Massimo M Onesto1, Caitlin A Short1, Sarah K Rempel1
1Neuroscience Training Program and Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|June 7, 2021
Summary
This review highlights how less-studied growth factors guide axon growth cones, impacting neural development and targeting. Understanding these factors is crucial for exploring novel therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Axon guidance is critical for neural circuit formation during development.
- Established guidance cues (e.g., netrins, semaphorins) are well-studied.
- The role of less-characterized growth factors in axon guidance remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review in vitro findings on underappreciated growth factors in axon guidance.
- To elucidate the responses and signaling pathways involved in growth cone morphogenesis.
- To emphasize the significance of these factors in neural development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of in vitro experimental studies.
- Analysis of published data on growth factor-induced axon responses.
- Examination of signaling mechanisms mediating growth cone modulation.
Main Results:
- Multiple understudied growth factors demonstrate potent axon guidance capabilities in vitro.
- These factors influence growth cone targeting and morphological changes.
- Specific signaling pathways activated by these growth factors are identified.
Conclusions:
- Underappreciated growth factors play significant roles in axon guidance and morphogenesis.
- Further research into these factors can reveal novel mechanisms in neural development.
- These findings may inform future therapeutic interventions for neurological disorders.
