Sex steroids and brain-derived neurotrophic factor interactions in the nervous system: a comprehensive review of scientific data

Sex steroids and the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) participate in neural tissue formation, phenotypic differentiation, and neuroplasticity. These processes are essential for the health and maintenance of the central nervous system. Aim: The aim of our review is to elucidate t...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Assis, Gilmara Gomes de, Sousa, Maria Bernardete Cordeiro de, Murawska-Ciałowicz, Eugenia
Tipo de documento: artigo
Estado:Versão publicada
Data de publicação:2025
País:Brasil
Recursos:Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN)
Repositório:Repositório Institucional da UFRN
Idioma:inglês
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.ufrn.br:123456789/63013
Acesso em linha:https://repositorio.ufrn.br/handle/123456789/63013
Access Level:Acceso aberto
Palavra-chave:Estrogen
Estradiol
Testosterone
Progesterone
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
Nervous system
Descrição
Resumo:Sex steroids and the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) participate in neural tissue formation, phenotypic differentiation, and neuroplasticity. These processes are essential for the health and maintenance of the central nervous system. Aim: The aim of our review is to elucidate the interaction mechanisms between BDNF and sex steroids in neuronal function. Method: A series of searches were performed using Mesh terms for androgen/receptors, estrogen/receptors, and BDNF/receptors, and a collection of the scientific data available on PubMed up to February 2025 about mechanical interactions between BDNF and sex steroids was included in this literature review. Discussion: This review discussed the influence of sex steroids on the formation and/or maintenance of neural circuits via different mechanisms, including the regulation of BDNF expression and signaling. Estrogens exert a time- and region-specific effect on BDNF synthesis. The nuclear estrogen receptor can directly regulate BDNF expression, independently of the presence of estrogen, in neuronal cells, whereas progesterone and testosterone upregulate BDNF expression via their specific nuclear receptors. In addition, testosterone has a positive effect on BDNF release by glial cells, which lack androgen receptors