To characterize the role of neurotrophin receptors on macrophages, we investigated the ability of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its precursor, proNGF, to regulate human macrophage phenotype. The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and TrkA were concentrated within overlapping domains on membrane ruffles. NGF stimulation of macrophages increased membrane ruffling, calcium spiking, phagocytosis and growth factor secretion. In contrast, proNGF induced podosome formation, increased migration, suppressed calcium spikes and increased neurotoxin secretion. These results demonstrate opposing roles of NGF and proNGF in macrophage regulation providing new avenues for pharmacological intervention during neuroinflammation.

Cancer of the appendix is rare and is most commonly found incidentally on pathology after an appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis (UA). The medical management alternative with antibiotics and observation remains an ongoing debate. The purpose of our study was to develop modern epidemiological data for adult patients completing an appendectomy for UA secondary to an appendiceal neoplasm (AN). ACS-NSQIP database was queried (2005–2016) to identify patients completing an appendectomy. Cohorts of patients who were diagnosed with UA and an AN were included in the study. Relevant perioperative clinical and outcomes data were collected. Type of AN, surgical procedure, and mortality were analyzed. A total of 239,615 UA patients were identified, of whom 2,773 (1.2%) met the inclusion criteria of AN. Patients with AN were predominantly white (79.5%), with a mean age of 54.5 ± 15.9 years, and 54.6 per cent were females. AN pathology findings included malignant neoplasm (64.5%), malignant carcinoid (17.3%), benign carcinoid (9.3%), and benign neoplasm (8.8%). The overall reported incidence was 1.2 per cent and the mortality rate was 0.7 per cent. Our study emphasizes surgical intervention in adult UA maintains a 1 per cent incidence of AN, and treatment with antibiotics alone will presumably lead to a delay in surgical treatment and progression of disease.

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