Ntf5, also known as neurotrophin-5, is a member of the neurotrophin protein family. Neurotrophins play crucial roles in the differentiation, survival, and function of vertebrate neurons [4]. They are involved in various neural-related biological processes, and studying Ntf5 using genetic models can provide insights into its functions.

In rotenone-induced neural degeneration, glial cells can modulate retinal cell survival. Microglia-derived Ntf5 upregulation is involved in this process, with glial cells having both positive and negative effects on retinal cell survival via altered expression of growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines [1]. In mouse models of Stargardt-like macular dystrophy (STGD3), Ntf5 was among the genes with significant expression level changes, being upregulated [2]. In female mice with surgically induced osteoarthritis, at the time of established pain-like behavior, Ntf5 was significantly up-regulated among other pain-associated genes, suggesting its involvement in pain-related processes [3]. Also, in HT22 cells with DMNQ-induced oxidative damage, unsaturated fatty acids from egg yolk phospholipids exert neuroprotective effects by upregulating genes involved in nervous system development, including Ntf5 [5].

In conclusion, Ntf5 is important in neural-related functions. Studies using mouse models have revealed its roles in retinal cell survival during neural degeneration, in macular dystrophy-related gene expression changes, in pain-related processes in osteoarthritis, and in the neuroprotective effects of unsaturated fatty acids. These findings contribute to understanding the biological functions of Ntf5 in specific disease areas such as neurodegenerative diseases, macular dystrophy, and osteoarthritis-related pain.