Investigation of the functional role of RTN4 (Nogo) in T cell activation

Abstract

RTN4 (also known as Nogo) is recognized as an important regulator of cell movement and growth in neuron and vascular development in response to their receptors. However, the functional role of RTN4 in T cells is not yet well understood in the immune system. As T cell activation and migration is important for T cell immune responses, I investigated the functional role of RTN4 in T cell activation. The effects of Nogo in T cell activation were evaluated via flow cytometry, western blot, RT-PCR, chemotaxis assay. The experiment results showed that when Jurkat T cells were activated, NogoA and NogoB expression was up-regulated. In addition, the expression of T cell activation markers was also increased as Nogo cell lines were activated. Also, by performing transmigration assay with and without CXCL12, the mobility of the overall control and Nogo cell lines was increased when CXCL12 was treated. However, there was slight difference of extent of mobility between Nogo cell lines; NogoA tends to move less compared to other Nogo cell lines. Moreover, I tried to investigate if RTN4 has an effect on T cell and Raji B cell conjugation. There was no significant difference. In conclusion, RTN4 involves in T cell activation and has a migration suppressor function in T cells. Comprehensively, RTN4 has migration suppress function in T cell activation.