Fig. 1

Interfering with TNFα-TNFR2 signaling pathway via blocking the receptor. This schematic depicts our primary hypothesis based on the direct involvement of TNFα-TNFR2 axis in immunomodulatory functions observed by NSCs. In order to validate this hypothesis, we should hamper this signaling pathway either, a) by knocking out the TNFR2 gene or harvesting NSCs from TNFR2 KO mice or b) by neutralizing TNFR2 expressed on NSCs using anti-TNFR2 monoclonal anti-body. Then, after creating these two co-culture conditions, one should assess if NSCs are still able to exert their immunosuppressive function on T cells. TCR, T cell receptor; mTNFα, membrane form of TNFα