Myelin suppresses axon regeneration by PIR-B/SHP-mediated inhibition of Trk activity

EMBO J. 2011 Apr 6;30(7):1389-401. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2011.55. Epub 2011 Mar 1.

Abstract

Paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PIR-B) partially mediates the regeneration-inhibiting effects of the myelin-derived protein Nogo, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), and oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein (OMgp). In this study, we report that inhibition of the PIR-B signaling cascades in neurons enhances axon regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS). Binding of MAG to PIR-B led to the association of PIR-B with tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) neurotrophin receptors. Src homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP)-1 and SHP-2, which were recruited to PIR-B upon MAG binding, functioned as Trk tyrosine phosphatases. Further, SHP-1 and SHP-2 inhibition reduced MAG-induced dephosphorylation of Trk receptors and abolished the inhibitory effect of MAG on neurite growth. Thus, PIR-B associated with Trk to downregulate basal and neurotrophin-regulated Trk activity through SHP-1/2 in neurons. Moreover, in vivo transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) for SHP-1 or SHP-2 induced axonal regeneration after optic nerve injury in mice. Our results thus identify a new molecular target to enhance regeneration of the injured CNS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Biological
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism*
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
  • Nerve Regeneration*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 11 / metabolism*
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 6 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Mag protein, mouse
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
  • Pirb protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Protein Kinases
  • tropomyosin kinase
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 11
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 6
  • Ptpn11 protein, mouse
  • Ptpn6 protein, mouse