CNTF is a polypeptide trophic factor, member of the alpha-helical cytokine superfamily¹. It was initially purified from the chick eye on the basis of its ability to promote survival of E8 chick ciliary ganglion neurons in culture². CNTF is synthesized by glia both in the CNS and PNS³ and it has been demonstrated that CNTF is ubiquitously distributed in neurons and glia throughout the rodent brain⁴. CNTF effects are mediated by a tripartite receptor complex consisting of two signal-transducing subunits (leukemia inhibitory factor receptor, gp130) and a CNTF-specific ligand-binding-subunit (CNTFR)⁵.

CNTF can support the survival of many different cell populations within the PNS and the CNS⁶. in vitro, CNTF promotes proliferation and neuronal specifications in hippocampal neurons. in vivo, it supports the viability of non-primate motor neurons⁷, induces sprouting of cholinergic motor neurons⁸ and delays neural degeneration in genetic models of motor neuron disease⁹. In addition, it is involved in the development stage of astrocytes and oligodendocytes¹⁰.