Pleiotropy of tissue-specific growth factors: from neurons to vessels via the bone marrow
J. Clin. Invest. Dan G. Duda, et al. 115:596 doi:10.1172/JCI24511 [Go to this article.]

Figure 1
The functional pleiotropy of BDNF extends beyond the nervous system. BDNF, similar to NT-4, exerts its complex signaling effects via TrkB that is present on neurons. These effects include the modulation of neuronal differentiation, survival, and function. In this issue of the JCI, Kermani et al. (10) report a more complex role for this neurotrophic factor: BDNF can mobilize TrkB⁺ hematopoietic precursor cells (HPCs) for both hematopoiesis and tissue neovascularization. In addition, BDNF can promote angiogenesis by directly interacting with TrkB expressed on ECs.