The neurotrophin family of neurotrophic factors are well-known for their effects on neuronal survival and growth. Over the past decade, considerable evidence has accumulated from both humans and animals that one neurotrophin, nerve growth factor (NGF), is a peripheral pain mediator, particularly in inflammatory pain states. NGF is upregulated in a wide variety of inflammatory conditions, and NGF-neutralizing molecules are effective analgesic agents in many models of persistent pain. Such molecules are now being evaluated in clinical trials. NGF regulates the expression of a second neurotrophin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in nociceptors. BDNF is released when nociceptors are activated, and it acts as a central modulator of pain. The chapter reviews the evidence for these roles (and briefly the effects of other neurotrophins), the range of conditions under which they act, and their mechanism of action.

中文翻译：

---

神经营养蛋白：疼痛的介质和调节剂。

神经营养因子的神经营养蛋白家族因其对神经元存活和生长的影响而闻名。在过去的十年中，人类和动物都积累了大量证据，证明一种神经营养蛋白，即神经生长因子（NGF）是周围的疼痛介质，尤其是在炎症性疼痛状态下。NGF在多种炎性疾病中上调，而NGF中和分子在许多持续性疼痛模型中是有效的镇痛药。现在正在临床试验中评估此类分子。NGF调节伤害感受器中第二种神经营养蛋白，即脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）的表达。当伤害感受器被激活时，BDNF被释放，并且它是疼痛的中央调节剂。本章回顾了这些作用的证据（并简要介绍了其他神经营养蛋白的作用），