CNTF is a polypeptide trophic factor, member of the alpha-helical cytokine superfamily.
It was initially purified from the chick eye on the basis of its ability to�promote survival of E8 chick ciliary ganglion neurons in culture.�CNTF is synthesized by glia both in the CNS and PNS and it has been demonstrated�that CNTF is ubiquitously distributed in neurons and glia throughout�the rodent brain.
CNTF effects are mediated by a tripartite receptor complex consisting of two signal-transducing subunits (leukemia inhibitory factor receptor, gp130) and a CNTF-specific ligand-binding-subunit (CNTFR).
�CNTF can support the survival of many different cell populations within the PNS and the CNS.
in vitro, CNTF promotes proliferation and neuronal specifications�in hippocampal neurons.
in vivo, it supports the viability of non-primate motor neurons, CNTF induces sprouting of cholinergic�motor neurons and delays neural degeneration in genetic models�of motor neuron disease.
In addition, it is involved in the development stage of astrocytes and oligodendocytes.