Astroglial neurotrophic and neurite-promoting factors.

Astroglial cells express neurotrophic and/or neurite growth-promoting factors, including (a) peptide growth factors (e.g. nerve growth factors, ciliary neuronotrophic factor, fibroblast growth factor), (b) neurotransmitters (such as glutamate, neuropeptide Y), (c) cell adhesion molecules (e.g. N-CAM) and (d) extracellular matrix proteins (including laminin, fibronectin and proteoglycans). Expression of these molecules is regulated during development and/or after CNS lesions. Some of the astroglial peptide growth factors, including nerve growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and ciliary neuronotrophic factor, have been shown to exert protective or even regenerative effects on neurons following traumatic, chemical or ischemic lesions. These observations illustrate the enormous therapeutic potential of astroglia-derived neurotrophic molecules.