Description
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a cytokine1 that supports survival and/or differentiation of a variety of neuronal cell types including sensory, sympathetic, and motoneurons.2 With these abilities, CNTF has implications for Parkinson's disease and cell-replacement therapies for other disorders.3 CNTF mimics the biological actions of leptin while overcoming "leptin resistance" and appears to reduce inflammatory signaling cascades associated with lipid accumulation in liver and skeletal muscle. The advantages and disadvantages of CNTF has shown promise as a therapeutic strategy to alleviate obesity-associated diseases