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Insulin-Like Growth Factors in the Peripheral Nervous System

Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Eva L. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 5017 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200. E-mail: efeldman{at}umich.edu.

IGF-I and -II are potent neuronal mitogens and survival factors. The actions of IGF-I and -II are mediated via the type I IGF receptor (IGF-IR) and IGF binding proteins regulate the bioavailability of the IGFs. Cell viability correlates with IGF-IR expression and intact IGF-I/IGF-IR signaling pathways, including activation of MAPK/phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase. The expression of IGF-I and -II, IGF-IR, and IGF binding proteins are developmentally regulated in the central and peripheral nervous system. IGF-I therapy demonstrates mixed therapeutic results in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury, neuropathy, and motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this review we discuss the role of IGFs during peripheral nervous system development and the IGF signaling system as the potential therapeutic target for the treatment of nerve injury and motor neuron diseases.

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