Knockout of p75(NTR) impairs re-myelination of injured sciatic nerve in mice.

Remyelination is an important aspect of nerve regeneration after nerve injury but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The neurotrophin receptor, p75(NTR), in activated Schwann cells in the Wallerian degenerated nerve is up-regulated and may play a role in the remyelination of regenerating peripheral nerves. In the present study, the role of p75(NTR) in remyelination of the sciatic nerve was investigated in p75(NTR) mutant mice.

Distribution and localization of pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor-like immunoreactivity in the peripheral and central nervous system of the adult rat.

The precursors for neurotrophins are proteolytically cleaved to form biologically active mature molecules which activate their receptors p75NTR and trks. A recent study showed that the precursor for nerve growth factor (NGF) can bind to p75NTR with a high affinity and induces apoptosis of neurons in vitro. Mutation in Val66Met of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) results in reduction in hippocampal function in learning and in the dysfunction of intracellular BDNF sorting and secretion.