Novel roles for Nogo receptor in inflammation and disease

Abstract

The Nogo receptor (NgR), which was identified as a common receptor for three axon growth inhibitors associated with myelin, has been extensively characterized for its role in triggering growth cone collapse and arresting neurite/axon growth. Recent studies indicate that NgR is also expressed in nonneuronal cells and modulates macrophage responses during inflammation after peripheral nerve injury. In this article, we discuss the possibility that NgR might have wider effects on inflammation in a variety of neurological conditions ranging from central nervous system trauma to diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's disease.