Epidermal growth factor receptor
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been suggested to regulate CSPG function. Inhibiting EGFR has been shown to block the activities of certain CSPGs, including neurocan, phosphacan, versican, and aggrecan. When EGFR was inactive, CSPGs had little effect on neurons. As a result, neurogenesis occurred, with significantly longer and many more neurons forming than seen with EGFR active. When EGFR is active, CSPG functioned normally, restricting neurogenesis. Drugs manipulating EGFR may be helpful in preventing the adverse effects CSPGs have during spinal cord injury.