Signaling Pathways Regulating Axogenesis and Dendritogenesis in Sympathetic Neurons

The post-ganglionic sympathetic neurons play an important role in modulating visceral functions and maintaining homeostasis through complex and reproducible axonal and dendritic connections between individual neurons and with their target tissues. Disruptions in these connections and in sympathetic nervous system function are observed in several neurological, cardiac and immune-related disorders, which underscores the need for understanding the mechanisms underlying neuronal polarity, axonal growth and dendritic growth in these neurons. The goals of this chapter are to explore our current understanding of the various growth factors, their signaling pathways, downstream effectors and interplay between these pathways to regulate different stages of axonal and dendritic growth in sympathetic neurons.