NGF protects endothelial cells from indomethacin-induced injury through activation of mitochondria and upregulation of IGF-1

1) NGF protects GECs against IND-induced injury. 2) Mitochondria are major targets of both INDO-induced injury and NGF afforded protection of GECs. 3) TrkA expression in the mitochondria of GECs indicates that the protection afforded by NGF is partly mediated by its direct action on mitochondria. 4) NGF prevents MMP depolarization and increases expression of IGF-1 protein in GECs. These studies indicate that NGF may play a protective role against injury to GECs; and, that maintenance of mitochondrial structure and function is one of the mechanisms.