Research progress of neurotrophic factor 4 in nerve injury repair

Abstract

Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), the fourth member of the nerve growth factor family (NGFs), was found in vipers and African toad in 1991, and it was named for its similar gene sequence structure and biological activity with the first three growth factors of NGFs. Up to now, much evidence has addressed the role of NT-4 in nerve injury and repair. With the study of NT-4 gradually deepening, a certain understanding of its biochemical characteristics and distribution in tissues needs to be clarified. This paper gives a brief review of the biological role of NT-4 and its relationship with nerve injury repair. It gives a preliminary discussion on the role of NT-4 in nerve injury repair.