Epithelial reticulon 4B (Nogo-B) is an endogenous regulator of Th2-driven lung inflammation

J Exp Med. 2010 Nov 22;207(12):2595-607. doi: 10.1084/jem.20100786. Epub 2010 Oct 25.

Abstract

Nogo-B is a member of the reticulon family of proteins (RTN-4B) that is highly expressed in lung tissue; however, its function remains unknown. We show that mice with Th2-driven lung inflammation results in a loss of Nogo expression in airway epithelium and smooth muscle compared with nonallergic mice, a finding which is replicated in severe human asthma. Mice lacking Nogo-A/B (Nogo-KO) display an exaggerated asthma-like phenotype, and epithelial reconstitution of Nogo-B in transgenic mice blunts Th2-mediated lung inflammation. Microarray analysis of lungs from Nogo-KO mice reveals a marked reduction in palate lung and nasal clone (PLUNC) gene expression, and the levels of PLUNC are enhanced in epithelial Nogo-B transgenic mice. Finally, transgenic expression of PLUNC into Nogo-KO mice rescues the enhanced asthmatic-like responsiveness in these KO mice. These data identify Nogo-B as a novel protective gene expressed in lung epithelia, and its expression regulates the levels of the antibacterial antiinflammatory protein PLUNC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / etiology*
  • Asthma / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myelin Proteins / analysis
  • Myelin Proteins / physiology*
  • Nogo Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • BPIFA1 protein, human
  • Glycoproteins
  • Myelin Proteins
  • Nogo Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • RTN4 protein, human
  • Rtn4 protein, mouse