Neurotrophic Factors as Regenerative Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases: Current Status, Challenges and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are characterized by acute or chronic progressive loss of one or several neuronal subtypes. However, despite their increasing prevalence, little progress has been made in successfully treating these diseases. Research has recently focused on neurotrophic factors (NTFs) as potential regenerative therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we discuss the current state of knowledge, challenges, and future perspectives of NTFs with a direct regenerative effect in chronic inflammatory and degenerative disorders. Various systems for delivery of NTFs, such as stem and immune cells, viral vectors, and biomaterials, have been applied to deliver exogenous NTFs to the central nervous system, with promising results. The challenges that currently need to be overcome include the amount of NTFs delivered, the invasiveness of the delivery route, the blood–brain barrier permeability, and the occurrence of side effects. Nevertheless, it is important to continue research and develop standards for clinical applications. In addition to the use of single NTFs, the complexity of chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases may require combination therapies targeting multiple pathways or other possibilities using smaller molecules, such as NTF mimetics, for effective treatment.

Advancements in the study of synaptic plasticity and mitochondrial autophagy relationship

“…These factors share multiple amino acid homologies and can bind to specific receptors of the tyrosine protein kinase Trk family, including TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC. Additionally, they can signal through phosphorylated neurotrophin receptors (NTRs), activating downstream signaling pathways to facilitate neuronal growth, development, repair, and synaptic plasticity (El Ouaamari et al., 2023; Hefti, 1997; Simonato, 2018) (Figure 1b) (Table 8).…”

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Multiple Sclerosis Disability: A Prospective Study

“…Another studied direction would be viral vector-mediated gene delivery methods. Also, different cell types have been used to deliver neurotrophins to the specific sites, with positive results so far [ 37 ].…”

Comparing the biological activity and composition of Cerebrolysin with other peptide preparations

“…This highlights the urgent need for effective treatment options to diminish this immense burden of disease. Neurotrophic factors, a family of growth factors crucial for the development, function, and survival of adult neurons, have been extensively studied as a potential treatment option [ 2 ]. These factors are released in response to acute neurological damage or neurodegenerative diseases to protect and regenerate the affected neurons [ 3 ].…”