Dear Colleagues,

Since the first identification of cytokines and growth factors, the literature on this topic has expanded enormously, yet many questions remain, e.g., where and how these molecules play a role in the normal growth and differentiation of tissues and/or cells, such as central nervous system (CNS) cells, immune-committed cells, and neoplastic cells.

Cytokines and growth factors are produced by all CNS cell types and play key roles in the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and microglia, myelin production and maintenance, and synaptic transmission. There is also a growing awareness that vitamins positively or negatively modulate the synthesis of some cytokines and growth factors in the CNS. CNS cytokines and growth factors are essential for CNS–immune system and CNS–hormone system communications. Furthermore, research on the mechanisms of signaling transmission pathways, i.e., the post-receptor mechanisms of action, of cytokines and growth factors has continued to grow quite rapidly. Lastly, the roles of these molecules in the different aspects of the pathogenesis of some CNS diseases (whether demyelinating or not) have been extensively investigated, although we still know very little about this topic.

This Special Issue examines some of the aforementioned aspects and, as a whole, gives a broad survey of the state of the art in this exciting field. We think that the topic of this Special Issue will be of particular interest not only to neurologists and neurobiologists but also to physicians and specialists in various areas of medicine.

Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Scalabrino
Dr. Gerard Martens
Guest Editors

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• EGF
• oligodendrocytes
• multiple sclerosis
• experimental CNS demyelinating diseases
• CNS myelin