CNTF: Proteins and Enzymes

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is structurally related to IL-6, IL-11, LIF, CLC, and OSM. CNTF was initially identified as a trophic factor for embryonic chick ciliary parasympathetic neurons in culture. Subsequent studies have demonstrated that CNTF is a survival factor for additional neuronal cell types, including dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons, sympathetic ganglion neurons, embryonic motor neurons, major pelvic ganglion neurons and hippocampal neurons.