Raftlin 2 (RFTN2)

Raftlin-2 is a 501 amino acid cell membrane protein that is essential for raft cell assembly and maintenance. A lipid anchor protein, Raftlin-2 belongs to the Raftlin family and is encoded by a gene that maps to human chromosome 2q33.1 and mouse chromosome 1 C1.2. T cells, in contrast, expressed a substantial amount of Raftlin but no Raftlin-2. In Raftlin-deficient mice, T cell-dependent Ab production was reduced, and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a Th17-dependent autoimmune disease model, was ameliorated. In Raftlin-Tg mice, in contrast, Ab production was enhanced and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis was more severe. Cytokine production, especially that of IL-17, was reduced in Raftlin-deficient T cells, while it was enhanced in Raftlin-Tg T cells.