Anti-NGF Antibodies, Research Paper Example

Biologists can develop antibodies against nerve growth factor (anti-NGF antibodies, which are molecules that inactivate nerve growth factor. NGF has been found to be a requisite component for sympathetic neurons to survive. This is because it has the ability to induce growth of neurons. It is important that we consider the outcome of injecting such antibodies into a developing nervous system.

There is competition for NGF in the case where numerous axons innervate on one target that has a limited amount of NGF. Axons that innervate have NGF receptors that bind, assume and regressively transport the NGF (Kandel, 2013, p. 49). The biochemical flow that is created by the assumption or internalization of NGF gives rise to signals that avert the death of cells.

Since one of the main physiological roles of NGF is its significance in the survival of sympathetic and sensory neurons, anti-NGF antibodies become detrimental to these sensory and sympathetic neurons (Kandel, 2013, p. 50). In the case where the anti-NGF is injected into a developing nervous system, the actions of NGF are neutralized and there is a very significant drop in the survival of these neurons.

The NGF natural source for the developing nervous system (in particular neurons) within the cervical ganglion can be stopped by injection into the new-born animals on a daily basis. This will lead to the premature demise of the sympathetic and sensory neurons.

As shown in the figure below, when dependent cells have NGF withdrawn, there is a resultant signalling process that will eventually cause the death of these cells. There are also other possible explicit cellular events that are highlighted in black from the onset of the signalling process to the cleavage of DNA. The text in red shows likely points for therapeutic intervention.

In conclusion, the introduction of anti-NGF antibodies in a developing nervous system causes the blockage of the actions of NGF. This leads to the development of a signalling process that lead to the eventual death of sensory and sympathetic cells.

References

Kandel, E. R. (2013). Principles of Neural Science. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.