Nerve growth factor and the immune system: Old and new concepts in the cross-talk between immune and resident cells during pathophysiological conditions

Purpose of review: This review provides an overview of nerve growth factor and its involvement in the immune system. Furthermore, recent data are provided revealing new important insights into the mechanisms of action of nerve growth factor in allergic reaction. Recent findings: Recent studies on the effects of nerve growth factor on the immune cells involved allergic reaction, and on the potential role of nerve growth factor in tissue remodelling are presented. Summary: Nerve growth factor has an extended function from the nervous system to a wide range of activities in the immune system. Several papers have highlighted the role of the factor in allergic inflammation. This review describes old and new concepts of nerve growth factor in the immune system: the relation between nerve growth factor and the main cells taking part in allergic inflammatory disorders, structural cells, mediators and cytokines/chemokines, as well as the mechanisms leading to nerve growth factor increase. Understanding these complex mechanisms will introduce new therapeutic approaches for nerve growth factor in the immune system, in addition to those already established in the nervous system.