Viral vectors for neurotrophic factor delivery: a gene therapy approach for neurodegenerative diseases of the CNS.

ABSTRACT: The clinical manifestation of most diseases of the central nervous system results from neuronal dysfunction or loss. Diseases such as stroke, epilepsy and neurodegeneration (e.g. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease) share common cellular and molecular mechanisms (e.g. oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction) that contribute to the loss of neuronal function. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are secreted proteins that regulate multiple aspects of neuronal development including neuronal maintenance, survival, axonal growth and synaptic plasticity. These properties of NTFs make them likely candidates for preventing neurodegeneration and promoting neuroregeneration. One approach to delivering NTFs to diseased cells is through viral vector-mediated gene deliv

SUBMITTER: Lim ST 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2880921 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature