A functional role for Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the peripheral nervous system is well-documented, but a similar case for NGF in the central nervous system remains to be established. One approach to answering this question would be the availability of high-affinity monospecific Fab fragments obtained against NGF. In the present studies we describe the preparation and characterization of such Fab fragments from anti-mouse NGF polyclonal antibodies. Following their purification by the use of a NGF Sepharose-coupled affinity column, the Fab fragments were examined for biological competence in several ways. In vitro, the anti-Fab fragments blocked the neuronotrophic activity of NGF, as measured by the survival of chicken embryonic day 8 dorsal root ganglion neurons. In vivo, these Fab fragments, when administered systemically to neonatal rats, produced a decrease of noradrenaline levels in two sympathetically innervated organs, the heart and the spleen. These findings suggest that affinity purified Fab fragments of anti-NGF antibodies can be a useful tool for studying the physiological function of NGF in the nervous system.

+More

neuronotrophic activity of ngf antingf antibodies noradrenaline ngf polyclonal nerve growth factor root ganglion ngf sepharosecoupled affinity column

L, Callegaro S D, Skaper G, Vantini D, Benvegnù A, Di Martino N, Schiavo C, Triban C, Minozzi A, Leon,.Purification and characterization of Fab fragments from anti-mouse NGF polyclonal antibodies.. 3 (5-6),187-91.

L, Callegaro S D, Skaper G, Vantini D, Benvegnù A, Di Martino N, Schiavo C, Triban C, Minozzi A, Leon,"Purification and characterization of Fab fragments from anti-mouse NGF polyclonal antibodies." 3

L, Callegaro S D, Skaper G, Vantini D, Benvegnù A, Di Martino N, Schiavo C, Triban C, Minozzi A, Leon,"Purification and characterization of Fab fragments from anti-mouse NGF polyclonal antibodies."