Epidermal growth factor receptor modulation for neural repair: Implications for neurodegenerative disease therapy

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR; ErbB1/HER1) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that regulates cell proliferation, survival, differentiation, and tissue repair. In the nervous system, EGFR is expressed in neural progenitors, astrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursor cells, and neuronal populations, where its functions are context dependent. EGFR signaling contributes to neural regeneration by promoting progenitor proliferation, neuronal survival, neurogenesis, and remyelination following injury. However, sustained or excessive EGFR activation can drive reactive astrogliosis, neuroinflammation, glial scar formation, and neurotoxicity. Emerging evidence suggests that transient, regulated EGFR activation supports neural repair, whereas chronic or dysregulated signaling may contribute to neurodegeneration. These apparently opposing effects likely reflect differences in timing, duration, cellular context, ligand availability, and downstream signaling pathways engaged by EGFR activation, rather than inherently contradictory biological functions. In experimental models of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Multiple sclerosis-like conditions, EGFR modulation has shown therapeutic potential, although the mechanisms remain incompletely understood. While EGFR ligands often exert neurotrophic and pro-remyelinating effects, disease-associated EGFR activation may promote maladaptive signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of EGFR signaling in neural repair and neurodegenerative diseases, discuss the context-dependent roles of this pathway, and highlight therapeutic strategies. We further propose a conceptual framework in which EGFR functions as a context-dependent signaling hub, with its outcomes determined by the spatiotemporal regulation of receptor activation. Although challenges remain, including optimal timing, dosing, and safety considerations, preclinical evidence suggests that modulation of EGFR signaling may be a therapeutic approach to promote neural repair while limiting neurodegenerative pathology.