| brain-derived neurotrophic factor | <growth factor> Small basic protein purified from pig brain, a member of the family of neurotrophic factors that also includes Nerve Growth Factor and neurotrophin 3. In contrast to nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor is predominanantly (though not exclusively) localised in the CNS. It supports the survival of primary sensory neurons originating from the neural crest and ectodermal placodes that are not responsive to NGF. In the brain brain-derived neurotrophic factor has a trophic action on retinal, cholinergic, and dopaminergic neurons, and in the peripheral nervous system it acts on both motor and sensory neurons. Acronym: BDGF (12 Dec 1998) |
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| ciliary neurotrophic factor | <growth factor> Neurotrophic factor originally characterised as a survival factor for chick ciliary neurons in vitro. Subsequently shown to promote the survival of a variety of other neuronal cell types and to promote the differentiation of bipotential O2A progenitor cells to type 2 astrocytes in vitro. Molecular cloning and expression studies indicate that CNTF is a cytosolic protein. Developmental expression and regional distribution studies show that, unlike NGF, CNTF is not a target derived neurotrophic factor. (18 Nov 1997) |
| neurotrophic factor | A molecule, usually a protein, that will facilitate the growth or repair of nerve cells. (14 Nov 1997) |
| glial cell | <pathology> Specialised cells that surround neurons, providing mechanical and physical support and electrical insulation between neurons. (17 Dec 1997) |
| glial | Pertaining to glia or neuroglia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| glial fibrillary acidic protein | <protein> This protein, found in microfilaments of glial cells, helps distinguish glial from nonglial tumours. A laboratory stain is used to test for its presence. (16 Dec 1997) |
| glial filament | <cell biology> Intermediate filaments of glial cells, made of glial fibrillary acidic protein. (17 Dec 1997) |
| glial limiting membrane | A dense, resilient membrane forming the true capsule of the brain and spinal cord, composed of the processes of astrocytes (macroglia cells) and covered throughout by the pia mater, which firmly adheres to it; the two membranes are collectively called the pial-glial membrane. Synonym: membrana limitans gliae. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pial-glial membrane | The dual outer lining of the brain and spinal cord, composed of the glial limiting membrane and the pia mater. (05 Mar 2000) |
| neurotrophic | Involved in the nutrition (or maintenance) of neural tissue. Classic example is nerve growth factor. (18 Nov 1997) |
| neurotrophic atrophy | Abnormalities of the skin, hair, nails, subcutaneous tissues and bone, caused by peripheral nerve lesions. Synonym: neuritic atrophy, neurogenic atrophy, neurotrophic atrophy, trophic changes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| neurotrophic keratitis | Inflammation of the cornea after corneal anaesthesia. Synonym: neuroparalytic keratitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| B-cell differentiating factor | <cytokine> A soluble cytokine factor produced by activated T-lymphocytes that promotes antibody production by causing proliferation and differentiation of B-cells. Interleukin-4 induces the expression of class II major histocompatibility complex and fc receptors on B-cells. It also acts on T-lymphocytes, mast cell lines, and several other haematopoietic lineage cells including granulocyte, megakaryocyte, and erythroid precursors, as well as macrophages. Acronym: IL-4 (12 Dec 1998) |
| B-cell stimulatory factor 2 | <cytokine> A cytokine that stimulates the growth and differentiation of human B-cells and is also a growth factor for hybridomas and plasmacytomas. It is produced by many different cells including T-cells, monocytes, and fibroblasts. A single chain 25 kD cytokine originally described as a pre B-cell growth factor, now known to have effects on a number of other cells including T-cells which are also stimulated to proliferate. An inducer of acute phase proteins and a colony-stimulating factor acting on mouse bone marrow. Acronym: IL-6 (12 Dec 1998) |
| natural killer cell stimulating factor | <cytokine> A 75 kD heterodimeric cytokine composed of disulfide-bonded 40 kD and 35 kD subunits that was originally identified by its ability to induce cytotoxic effector cells in synergy with less than optimal concentrations of interleukin-2. It is released by macrophages in response to infection and promotes the activation of cell-mediated immunity. Specifically, IL-12 triggers the maturation of Thl CD4 cells, specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses and an increase in the activity of NK cells and consequently, it is the initiator of cell-mediated immunity. It enhances the lytic activity of NK cells, induces interferon production, stimulates the proliferation of activated T-cells and NK cells. Is secreted by human B lymphoblastoid cells (NC 37). May play a role in controlling immunoglobulin isotype selection as it also inhibits IgE synthesis (even in the presence of anti-IFN monoclonal antibody) and as a growth factor for activated CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells independently of interleukin-2, and for CD56+ NK cells but not resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells or resting or activated tonsillar B-cells. It is likely that interleukin 12 has a major role in protective immunity against viruses and is under study as an immunotherapy in HIV infection. Formerly referred to as cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor. Acronym: IL-12 (12 Dec 1998) |