Exploring the diversity of biological processes regulated by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, a pleiotropic molecule with therapeutic potential.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing mechanistic biology and preclinical pathways without primary human data
PubMed 40642294 · doi:10.3389/fphys.2025.1618330
What was done
This narrative review summarizes the molecular biology, signaling pathways, and physiological functions of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) across the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as its therapeutic implications for neurological disorders.
What was found
The abstract synthesizes biological roles without presenting quantitative findings or pooled effect estimates. GDNF signals through GFRα1 and RET receptor pathways to support dopaminergic neuron survival, enhance hippocampal synaptic plasticity, modulate GABAergic transmission, and influence microglial neuroinflammation. It also regulates blood-brain and blood-nerve barrier permeability via endothelial and pericyte signaling, promotes peripheral autonomic and motor neuron development/reinnervation, and participates in tumor biology.
Why it matters
Understanding the diverse cellular sources, post-translational processing, and receptor pathways of GDNF helps frame targeted neuroprotective and therapeutic strategies for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, depression, addiction, and epilepsy.
Limits
The abstract contains no empirical data, sample sizes, or quantitative outcomes. As a broad narrative review, it lacks systematic search methodology, risk-of-bias assessment, or comparative clinical efficacy evidence.
Cited by
- supports Glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) upregulates dopamine neuron health.