Activation of the NOTCH signaling pathway stimulates migration of human b-lymphocytes

The NOTCH signaling pathway is essentially required for embryonic development, cell differentiation, as well as for maintenance of tissue homeostasis and stem cell function. Consequently, dysfunction of the NOTCH pathway is associated with several genetic diseases or cancer development. Engagement in inflammatory disorders is under investigation. We explored whether the NOTCH ligands Jagged-1 and Delta-like-4 might affect migration of human B-lymphocytes in vitro. B-lymphocytes were isolated from EDTA-anticoagulated venous blood of healthy volunteers. For migration assays 5 µm pore sized nitrocellulose membrane…