A role for the neuronal protein collapsin response mediator protein 2 in T lymphocyte polarization and migration

Authors:
Vincent P, Collette Y, Marignier R, Vuaillat C, Rogemond V, Davoust N, Malcus C, Cavagna S, Gessain A, Machuca-Gayet I, Belin MF, Quach T and Giraudon P
In:
Source: J Immunol
Publication Date: (2005)
Issue: 175(11): 7650-7660
Research Area:
Immunotherapy / Hematology
Cells used in publication:
T cell, human stim.
Species: human
Tissue Origin: blood
Platform:
Nucleofector® I/II/2b
Abstract
The semaphorin-signaling transducer collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) has been identified in the nervous system where it mediates Sema3A-induced growth cone navigation. In the present study, we provide first evidence that CRMP2 is present in the immune system and plays a critical role in T lymphocyte function. CRMP2 redistribution at the uropod in polarized T cells, a structural support of lymphocyte motility, suggests that it may regulate T cell migration. This was evidenced in primary T cells by small-interfering RNA-mediated CRMP2 gene silencing and blocking Ab, as well as CRMP2 overexpression in Jurkat T cells tested in a chemokine- and semaphorin-mediated transmigration assay. Expression analysis in PBMC from healthy donors showed that CRMP2 is enhanced in cell subsets bearing the activation markers CD69(+) and HLA-DR(+). Heightened expression in T lymphocytes of patients suffering from neuroinflammatory disease with enhanced T cell-transmigrating activity points to a role for CRMP2 in pathogenesis. The elucidation of the signals and mechanisms that control this pathway will lead to a better understanding of T cell trafficking in physiological and pathological situations.