Challenges and progress of neurodrug: bioactivities, production and delivery strategies of nerve growth factor protein

Abstract Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a vital cytokine that plays a crucial role in the development and regeneration of the nervous system. It has been extensively studied for its potential therapeutic applications in various neural diseases. However, as a protein drug, limited natural source seriou...

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Main Authors: Nan Zhou, TingWei Gu, Yang Xu, Yuda Liu, LiHua Peng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-12-01
Series:Journal of Biological Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13036-023-00392-2
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author Nan Zhou
TingWei Gu
Yang Xu
Yuda Liu
LiHua Peng
author_facet Nan Zhou
TingWei Gu
Yang Xu
Yuda Liu
LiHua Peng
author_sort Nan Zhou
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a vital cytokine that plays a crucial role in the development and regeneration of the nervous system. It has been extensively studied for its potential therapeutic applications in various neural diseases. However, as a protein drug, limited natural source seriously hinders its translation and clinical applications. Conventional extraction of NGF from mouse submandibular glands has a very high cost and potentially induces immunogenicity; total synthesis and semi-synthesis methods are alternatives, but have difficulty in obtaining correct protein structure; gene engineering of plant cells is thought to be non-immunogenic, bioactive and economical. Meanwhile, large molecular weight, high polarity, and negative electrical charge make it difficult for NGF to cross the blood brain barrier to reach therapeutic targets. Current delivery strategies mainly depend on the adenovirus and cell biodelivery, but the safety and efficacy remain to be improved. New materials are widely investigated for the controllable, safe and precise delivery of NGF. This review illustrates physiological and therapeutic effects of NGF for various diseases. Moreover, new progress in production and delivery technologies for NGF are summarized. Bottlenecks encountered in the development of NGF as therapeutics are also discussed with the countermeasures proposed.
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id doaj-art-d906c3baef5840f88e011cd4a536357d
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issn 1754-1611
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publishDate 2023-12-01
publisher BMC
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series Journal of Biological Engineering
spelling doaj-art-d906c3baef5840f88e011cd4a536357d2025-08-20T03:05:03ZengBMCJournal of Biological Engineering1754-16112023-12-0117111710.1186/s13036-023-00392-2Challenges and progress of neurodrug: bioactivities, production and delivery strategies of nerve growth factor proteinNan Zhou0TingWei Gu1Yang Xu2Yuda Liu3LiHua Peng4College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityCollege of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityCollege of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityCollege of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityCollege of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityAbstract Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a vital cytokine that plays a crucial role in the development and regeneration of the nervous system. It has been extensively studied for its potential therapeutic applications in various neural diseases. However, as a protein drug, limited natural source seriously hinders its translation and clinical applications. Conventional extraction of NGF from mouse submandibular glands has a very high cost and potentially induces immunogenicity; total synthesis and semi-synthesis methods are alternatives, but have difficulty in obtaining correct protein structure; gene engineering of plant cells is thought to be non-immunogenic, bioactive and economical. Meanwhile, large molecular weight, high polarity, and negative electrical charge make it difficult for NGF to cross the blood brain barrier to reach therapeutic targets. Current delivery strategies mainly depend on the adenovirus and cell biodelivery, but the safety and efficacy remain to be improved. New materials are widely investigated for the controllable, safe and precise delivery of NGF. This review illustrates physiological and therapeutic effects of NGF for various diseases. Moreover, new progress in production and delivery technologies for NGF are summarized. Bottlenecks encountered in the development of NGF as therapeutics are also discussed with the countermeasures proposed.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13036-023-00392-2Nerve growth factorPharmacological effectsSynthesis methodsDelivery strategies
spellingShingle Nan Zhou
TingWei Gu
Yang Xu
Yuda Liu
LiHua Peng
Challenges and progress of neurodrug: bioactivities, production and delivery strategies of nerve growth factor protein
Journal of Biological Engineering
Nerve growth factor
Pharmacological effects
Synthesis methods
Delivery strategies
title Challenges and progress of neurodrug: bioactivities, production and delivery strategies of nerve growth factor protein
title_full Challenges and progress of neurodrug: bioactivities, production and delivery strategies of nerve growth factor protein
title_fullStr Challenges and progress of neurodrug: bioactivities, production and delivery strategies of nerve growth factor protein
title_full_unstemmed Challenges and progress of neurodrug: bioactivities, production and delivery strategies of nerve growth factor protein
title_short Challenges and progress of neurodrug: bioactivities, production and delivery strategies of nerve growth factor protein
title_sort challenges and progress of neurodrug bioactivities production and delivery strategies of nerve growth factor protein
topic Nerve growth factor
Pharmacological effects
Synthesis methods
Delivery strategies
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13036-023-00392-2
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AT tingweigu challengesandprogressofneurodrugbioactivitiesproductionanddeliverystrategiesofnervegrowthfactorprotein
AT yangxu challengesandprogressofneurodrugbioactivitiesproductionanddeliverystrategiesofnervegrowthfactorprotein
AT yudaliu challengesandprogressofneurodrugbioactivitiesproductionanddeliverystrategiesofnervegrowthfactorprotein
AT lihuapeng challengesandprogressofneurodrugbioactivitiesproductionanddeliverystrategiesofnervegrowthfactorprotein