Fig. 2

Interfering with TNFα-TNFR2 signaling pathway via blocking the ligand. 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 firstly, a) by using T cells harvested from TNFα KO mice that are incapable of TNFα production. In this setting TNFR2 (receptor) is expressed by NSCs but no TNFα (ligand) will be produced by T cells. b) Secondly, by using anti-TNFα monoclonal anti-body to neutralize the membrane and secreted form of TNFα. 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