TGF-β in dopamine neuron development, maintenance and neuroprotection

Abstract

Transforming growth factor betas(TGF-β) are multifunctional cytokines with wide spread distribution.In the nervous system the biological effects of TGF-β cover regulation of proliferation, migration, differentiation, survival and death. Specifically, the effects of TGF-β on mesencephalic DAergic neurons extend from induction and specification of the dopaminergic phenotype via promotion of survival to neuroprotection in animal models of parkinsonism. Experimentalin vitro and in vivo model shave contributed to a better understanding of the putative mechanisms underlying the effects of TGF-β on DAergic neurons and unravelled synergisms between members of the TGF-β superfamily. In this chapter, we will review the literature available with focuson TGF-β proper and glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). © 2009 Landes Bioscience and Springer Science+Business Media.