NGF and peripheral nerve injury: Our group has demonstrated that modulation of reactive astrocytosis and microglial activation by several compounds including native nerve growth factor (NGF) or synthetical (BB14®) neurotrophins [7,23,24], inhibitors of the purinergic system (oxidized ATP, oxATP) [9] and metalloproteinases (neuroserpin and GM6001) reduced maladaptive plasticity in the CNS after peripheral nerve injury and chronic neuropathic pain [23,24,25].