Hypoxic preconditioning advances CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression by activating HIF-1α in MSCs

Recent evidence indicated that sublethal hypoxic preconditioning (HP) of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) before transplantation could ameliorate their capacity to survive and engraft in the target tissue through yet undefined mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrated that HP (3% oxygen) induced the high expression of both chemokine stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR7, in MSCs. HP also improved in vitro migration, adhesion and survival of MSCs. Although SDF-1-induced migration of HP-MSCs was only abolished by an anti-CXCR4 antibody, both CXCR4 and CXCR7 were responsible for elevated adhesion of HP-MSCs. Moreover, CXCR7 but not CXCR4 was essential for the resistance to oxidative stress of HP-MSC. In addition, HP also evoked an increase in expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) and phosphorylation of Akt. The chemical inducers of HIF-1α, desferrioxamine (DFX) and cobalt chloride (CoCl₂), induced upregulation of CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression in MSCs under normoxic conditions. Contrarily, blockade of HIF-1α by siRNA and inhibition of Akt by either wortmannin or LY294002 abrogated upregulation of HP-induced CXCR4 and CXCR7 in MSCs. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for a crucial role of PI3K/Akt-HIF-1α-CXCR4/CXCR7 pathway on enhanced migration, adhesion and survival of HP-MSCs in vitro.     

趋化因子受体CXCR1、CXCR2与肿瘤研究进展

趋化因子受体是由7个跨膜区组成的G蛋白偶联受体,多个系统的肿瘤细胞均表达趋化因子受体,其在肿瘤的发生、发展和转移等各个阶段都发挥重要作用.近年来有不少研究发现趋化因子受体中的CXCR1和CXCR2与肿瘤关系密切,认为其可能成为肿瘤治疗的一个潜在新靶点.本文就CXCR1和CXCR2这两种趋化因子受体与肿瘤的关系做一综述.     

Crosstalk between TGF-β1 and CXCR3 signaling during urethral fibrosis

Urethral fibrosis is an important pathological feature of urethral stricture. TGF-β1 and CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) signaling have been reported as the critical pathways involved in the pathology of fibrosis. Here, we collected the urine samples from the patients with recurring urethral stricture, recurring stricture treated by cystostomy, and age- and gender-matched healthy people. ELISA detection revealed that TGF-β1 level was significantly up-regulated for the urethral stricture patients. By contrast, flow cytometry, real-time PCR detection, and immunofluoresecent staining showed that urethral stricture resulted in decreased expression of CXCR3. TGF-β1 treatment could increase cell proliferation and migration ability of urethra fibroblasts, whereas IP-10/CXCR3 signaling showed the opposite effect. Further, we found a crosstalk between TGF-β1 and CXCR3 signaling in the regulation of urethral fibrosis. Thus, pharmacological intervention of TGF-β1 or CXCR3 signaling has a potential as the therapeutic target for the prevention of urethral fibrosis.     

CXCR4–SDF-1 Signalling, Locomotion, Chemotaxis and Adhesion

Chemokines, small pro-inflammatory chemoattractant cytokines, that bind to specific G-protein-coupled seven-span transmembrane receptors present on plasma membranes of target cells are the major regulators of cell trafficking. In addition some chemokines have been reported to modulate cell survival and growth. Moreover, compelling evidence is accumulating that cancer cells may employ several mechanisms involving chemokine-chemokine receptor axes during their metastasis that also regulate the trafficking of normal cells. Of all the chemokines, stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), an alpha-chemokine that binds to G-protein-coupled CXCR4, plays an important and unique role in the regulation of stem/progenitor cell trafficking. First, SDF-1 regulates the trafficking of CXCR4+ haemato/lymphopoietic cells, their homing/retention in major haemato/lymphopoietic organs and accumulation of CXCR4+ immune cells in tissues affected by inflammation. Second, CXCR4 plays an essential role in the trafficking of other tissue/organ specific stem/progenitor cells expressing CXCR4 on their surface, e.g., during embryo/organogenesis and tissue/organ regeneration. Third, since CXCR4 is expressed on several tumour cells, these CXCR4 positive tumour cells may metastasize to the organs that secrete/express SDF-1 (e.g., bones, lymph nodes, lung and liver). SDF-1 exerts pleiotropic effects regulating processes essential to tumour metastasis such as locomotion of malignant cells, their chemoattraction and adhesion, as well as plays an important role in tumour vascularization. This implies that new therapeutic strategies aimed at blocking the SDF-1-CXCR4 axis could have important applications in the clinic by modulating the trafficking of haemato/lymphopoietic cells and inhibiting the metastatic behaviour of tumour cells as well. In this review, we focus on a role of the SDF-1-CXCR4 axis in regulating the metastatic behaviour of tumour cells and discuss the molecular mechanisms that are essential to this process.     

Fluoroalkyl α side chain containing 3,4-diamino-cyclobutenediones as potent and orally bioavailable CXCR2–CXCR1 dual antagonists

A series of potent and orally bioavailable 3,4-diaminocyclobutenediones with various fluoroalkyl groups as α side chain were prepared and found to show significant improvements in the binding affinities towards both CXCR2 and CXCR1 receptors.     

中性粒细胞CXCR1、CXCR2活化及其信号传导

中性粒细胞属非特异性免疫细胞,其表面可表达CXCR1和CXCR2.IL-8是其共同配体,它们彼此结合激活后续级联信号传导,产生一系列生物学效应,在介导炎症反应、促进血管新生、维持中性粒细胞稳态等起重要作用.Reparixin是非竞争变构的CXCR1和CXCR2阻滞剂,可抑制中性粒细胞过度趋化、迁移介导的炎症反应.     

CXCR1和CXCR2在系统性红斑狼疮中的表达及意义

目的:检测白介素-8受体CXCR1和CXCR2在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血CD14+单核细胞上的表达,探讨其与SLE疾病活动的相关性和可能涉及的SLE炎症发病机制.方法:36例活动期SLE患者和34例健康志愿者,采用流式细胞术(FCM)检测CXCR1、CXCR2在SLE患者和健康志愿者外周血CD14+单核细胞上的MFI表达.结果:CXCR2在SLE组外周血CD14+单核细胞上MFI表达(195.75±52.76)与对照组(298.82±51.86)相比明显降低(P＜0.01);CXCR2在SLE患者外周血CD14+单核细胞上MFI表达下降与C3存在着正相关关系(rs=0.421,P=0.022),与dsDNA、SLEDAI存在着负相关关系(分别为rs=-0.390,P=0.032;rs=-0.463,P=0.011).结论:SLE患者外周血CD14+单核细胞CXCR2的表达异常,提示CXCR2可能参与了SLE的发病过程.检测SLE患者外周血CD14+单核细胞的CXCR2表达水平,可能是评价SLE疾病活动性有价值的潜在的生物学标志之一.     

SDF-1／CXCR4的研究进展

基质细胞衍生因子-1(stromal cell—derived factorl,SDF-1)是α趋化因子家族的—个新成员,其受体CX—CR4广泛地表达在许多组织和器官上。SDF—1／CXCR4与造血干／祖细胞的动员和归巢密切相关,并且是白血病细胞迁移、播散的重要因子。近来研究发现,SDF—1／CXCR4参与调节造血干／祖细胞的增殖及其白血病细胞抗凋亡过程;能够通过免疫调节发挥抗感染、抗肿瘤作用。因此,对SDF—1／CXCR4的深入研究将有助于阐述造血机制和肿瘤细胞生长机制,为临床移植和抗肿瘤治疗提供新的途径。     

CXCR4 Expression and Treatment with SDF-1α or Plerixafor Modulate Proliferation and Chemosensitivity of Colon Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND: Signaling through stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), strongly secreted by bone marrow stromal cells and the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) exposed on tumor cells has pivotal roles in proliferation, metastasis, and tumor cell “dormancy.” Dormancy is associated with cytostatic drug resistance and is probably a property of tumor stem cells and minimal residual disease. Thus, hampering the SDF-1α/CXCR4 cross talk by a CXCR4 antagonist like Plerixafor (AMD3100) should overcome tumor cell dormancy bymobilization of tumor cells from “sanctuary” niches. Our aim was to elucidate the direct effects exerted by SDF-1α and Plerixafor on proliferation, chemosensitivity, and apoptosis of CXCR4-expressing tumor cells. METHODS: The ability of SDF-1α and Plerixafor to regulate intracellular signaling, proliferation, and invasion was investigated using two colon cancer cell lines (HT-29 and SW480) with either high endogenous or lentiviral expression of CXCR4 compared to their respective low CXCR4-expressing counterparts as a model system. Efficacy of Plerixafor on sensitivity of these cell lines against 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, or oxaliplatin was determined in a cell viability assay as well as stroma-dependent cytotoxicity and apoptosis assays. RESULTS: SDF-1α increased proliferation, invasion, and ERK signaling of endogenously and lentivirally CXCR4-expressing cells. Exposure to Plerixafor reduced proliferation, invasion, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling. Combination of chemotherapy with Plerixafor showed an additive effect on chemosensitivity and apoptosis in CXCR4-overexpressing cells. An SDF-1-secreting feeder layer provideda“protective niche” for CXCR4-overexpressing cells resulting in decreased chemosensitivity. CONCLUSION: CXCR4-antagonistic therapy mobilizes and additionally sensitizes tumor cells toward cytoreductive chemotherapy.     

CXCL8及其受体CXCR1、CXCR2在慢性乙肝中的表达及意义

为探讨CXC趋化因子8(CXCL8)及其受体CXC趋化因子受体1(CXCR1)、CXC趋化因子受体2(CXCR2)在慢性乙型肝炎中的表达及意义,本研究选取了我院治疗的慢性乙型肝炎患者64例(观察组),同时选取健康志愿者60例作为对照组,两组均采用SABC免疫细胞化学染色法检测CXCL8、CXCR1和CXCR2在各组外周血中性粒细胞(PMNs)内的表达量,采用RT-PCR检测PMNs中CXCL8、CXCR1和CXCR2mRNA表达。实验发现,观察组外周血PMNs中CXCL8、CXCR1表达明显强于对照组(p0.05);观察组和对照组外周血PMNs中CXCR2表达强度差异比较无统计学意义(p0.05);观察组外周血PMNs中CXCL8mRNA、CXCR1 mRNA和CXCR2 mRNA相对表达量分别为(1.16±0.15)、(0.87±0.24)和(1.01±0.22),明显高于对照组(p0.05);观察组中HBV-DNA阳性者外周血PMNs中CXCL8 mRNA和CXCR1 mRNA相对表达量分别为(1.27±0.10)和(1.02±0.13),明显高于HBV-DNA阴性者(p0.05);HBV-DNA阳性者和HBV-DNA阴性者CXCR2 mRNA相对表达量比较差异无统计学意义(p0.05);CXCL8 mRNA和CXCR1 mRNA相对表达量与ALT呈正相关(r=0.673和0.681,p0.05),CXCR2 mRNA相对表达量与ALT无相关性(p0.05)。慢性乙肝患者PMNs内CXCL8、CXCR1、CXCR2的mRNA水平升高,其中CXCL8、CXCR1的mRNA与血清ALT呈正相关,同时与HBV DNA载量有一定的相关性。     

N-terminal region of human chemokine receptor CXCR3: Structural analysis of CXCR3(1–48) by experimental and computational studies

Our study on the highly charged N-terminal peptide of the human chemokine receptor CXCR3 by spectroscopic methods in solution and by means of molecular dynamics simulations showed that the charge content modulates the intrinsic structural preference of its flexible backbone. Collectively, our findings suggest that the structural organization of a protein should be seen as a part of a continuum in which the ratio between electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions and the intrinsic flexibility are important properties used to optimize the folding. When this ratio changes and the structure is intrinsically flexible, the structural organization of the system moves along the continuum of the possible conformational states. By all this combined information, one can describe the structure of CXCR3(1–48) as an ensemble of conformations. In fact, the peptide shows stretches of negative charges embedded in a flexible sequence which can be used to maximize promiscuous interactions relevant to molecular recognition but globally the peptide appears as a poly-structured globule-like ensemble that is dynamically stabilized by H-bonds. We have approached the study of the most populated ensembles with subset selection to explain our experimental data also by evidencing that the changes into the fraction of charged residues discriminate between dynamically poly-structured states, conceivably because of small free energy barriers existing between the different conformations of CXCR3(1–48). Therefore, the overlap of a highly flexible backbone, negatively charged residues and sites which can be modified by post-translational modifications represent the structural organization that controls the molecular mechanisms underlying the biological functions carried out by CXCR3(1–48).     

Endothelin-1 induces neutrophil recruitment in adaptive inflammation via TNFα and CXCL1/CXCR2 in mice

Endothelin mediates neutrophil recruitment during innate inflammation. Herein we address whether endothelin-1 (ET-1) is involved in neutrophil recruitment in adaptive inflammation in mice, and its mechanisms. Pharmacological treatments were used to determine the role of endothelin in neutrophil recruitment to the peritoneal cavity of mice challenged with antigen (ovalbumin) or ET-1. Levels of ET-1, tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), and CXC chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neutrophil migration and flow cytometry analyses were performed 4 h after the intraperitoneal stimulus. ET-1 induced dose-dependent neutrophil recruitment to the peritoneal cavity. Treatment with the non-selective ET(A)/ET(B) receptor antagonist bosentan, and selective ET(A) or ET(B) receptor antagonists BQ-123 or BQ-788, respectively, inhibited ET-1- and ovalbumin-induced neutrophil migration to the peritoneal cavity. In agreement with the above, the antigen challenge significantly increased levels of ET-1 in peritoneal exudates. The ET-1- and ovalbumin-induced neutrophil recruitment were reduced in TNFR1 deficient mice, and by treatments targeting CXCL1 or CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2); further, treatment with bosentan, BQ-123, or BQ-788 inhibited ET-1- and antigen-induced production of TNFα and CXCL1. Furthermore, ET-1 and ovalbumin challenge induced an increase in the number of cells expressing the Gr1(+) markers in the granulocyte gate, CD11c(+) markers in the monocyte gate, and CD4(+) and CD45(+) (B220) markers in the lymphocyte gate in an ET(A)- and ET(B)-dependent manner, as determined by flow cytometry analysis, suggesting that ET-1 might be involved in the recruitment of neutrophils and other cells in adaptive inflammation. Therefore, the present study demonstrates that ET-1 is an important mediator for neutrophil recruitment in adaptive inflammation via TNFα and CXCL1/CXCR2-dependent mechanism.     

趋化因子SDF-1及受体CXCR4研究进展

趋化因子(chemokine)是一类一级结构相似,以对白细胞等多种细胞具有趋化定向运动作用为特征的小分子蛋白。功能研究表明,趋化因子在胚胎发育、血管生成、炎症、肿瘤、艾滋病等机体多种生理和病理过程中发挥重要作用,部分趋化因子的衍生物或抑制物具有潜在的临床应用前景。不久的将来,趋化因子及其受体可能成为疾病治疗的分子靶点。     

SDF1—CXCR4轴的新作用

基质衍生因子 1 (ｓｔｒｏｍａｌｄｅｒｉｖｅｄｆａｃｔｏｒ 1 ,ＳＤＦ1 )是ＣＸＣ家族趋化蛋白 ,1 988年由日本学者Ｎｉｓｈｉｋａｗａ等[1] 首先克隆发现 ,其受体为ＣＸＣＲ4,属Ｇ蛋白偶联受体家族。ＳＤＦ1与ＣＸＣＲ4作用 ,构成ＳＤＦ 1 ＣＸＣＲ4反应轴 ,转导特定的信号、介导不同的效应。过去认为 ,ＳＤＦ1 ＣＸＣＲ4轴介导的效应主要包括参与胚胎、血管、心脏形成以及Ｂ细胞生成等生理过程 ,与炎症反应无关。近年来的研究报告显示ＳＤＦ1 ＣＸＣＲ4轴在多种状态下发挥独特作用 :介导炎症细胞跨膜迁移、对Ｔ淋巴细胞增殖起共刺激…     

The Epstein-Barr Virus-encoded G Protein-coupled Receptor BILF1 Hetero-oligomerizes with Human CXCR4, Scavenges Gαi Proteins,and Constitutively Impairs CXCR4 Functioning

Cells express distinct G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) subtypes on their surface, allowing them to react to a corresponding variety of extracellular stimuli. Cross-regulation between different ligand-GPCR pairs is essential to generate appropriate physiological responses. GPCRs can physically affect each other''s functioning by forming heteromeric complexes, whereas cross-regulation between activated GPCRs also occurs through integration of shared intracellular signaling networks. Human herpesviruses utilize virally encoded GPCRs to hijack cellular signaling networks for their own benefit. Previously, we demonstrated that the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded GPCR BILF1 forms heterodimeric complexes with human chemokine receptors. Using a combination of bimolecular complementation and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer approaches, we now show the formation of hetero-oligomeric complexes between this viral GPCR and human CXCR4. BILF1 impaired CXCL12 binding to CXCR4 and, consequently, also CXCL12-induced signaling. In contrast, the G protein uncoupled mutant BILF1-K^3.50A affected CXCL12-induced CXCR4 signaling to a much lesser extent, indicating that BILF1-mediated CXCR4 inhibition is a consequence of its constitutive activity. Co-expression of Gα_i1 with BILF1 and CXCR4 restored CXCL12-induced signaling. Likewise, BILF1 formed heteromers with the human histamine H₄ receptor (H₄R). BILF1 inhibited histamine-induced Gα_i-mediated signaling by H₄R, however, without affecting histamine binding to this receptor. These data indicate that functional cross-regulation of Gα_i-coupled GPCRs by BILF1 is at the level of G proteins, even though these GPCRs are assembled in hetero-oligomeric complexes.     

SDF-1/CXCR4轴在胃癌中的研究进展

尽管近年来胃癌的诊断与治疗取得了长足发展,但胃癌致死率仍高居全球各类肿瘤的第三位。炎性趋化因子家族包含约50位成员,参与增殖、分化、迁移等多项细胞功能的调节。炎性趋化因子受体CXCR4及其配体基质细胞衍生因子1(SDF-1)在多种肿瘤中表达。SDF-1在胃癌中高表达,SDF-1/CXCR4轴促进胃癌细胞增长、增殖与转移,在胃癌发生发展过程中发挥重要作用。本文着重论述SDF-1/CXCR4轴在胃癌发生发展中的研究进展。     

Structure–Activity Relationship of novel phenylacetic CXCR1 inhibitors

We reported recently the Structure–Activity Relationship (SAR) of a class of CXCL8 allosteric modulators. They invariably share a 2-arylpropionic moiety so far considered a key structural determinant of the biological activity. We show the results of recent SAR studies on a novel series of phenylacetic derivatives supported by a combined approach of mutagenesis experiments and conformational analysis. The results suggest novel insights on the fine role of the propionic/acetic chain in the modulation of CXCL8 receptors.     

Distinct Roles for CXCR6+ and CXCR6? CD4+ T Cells in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Colitis

CD4⁺ T cells play a central role in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) via high-level production of effector cytokines such as IFN-γ and TNF-α. To better characterize the colitogenic CD4⁺ T cells, we examined their expression of CXCR6, a chemokine receptor that is expressed by T cells upon activation and is upregulated in several inflammatory diseases. We found that 80% of colonic lamina propria CD4⁺ T cells expressed CXCR6 in the CD45RB^high T cell-transferred colitis model. CXCR6 expression was similarly upregulated in inflamed mucosa of patients with Crohn’s disease. Although surface marker analysis demonstrated that both CXCR6⁺ and CXCR6⁻ CD4⁺ T-cell subsets consist of the cells with effector and effector-memory cells, the more cells in the CXCR6⁺ subset produced IFN-γ and TNF-α compared to CXCR6⁻ subset, and only the CXCR6⁺ subset produced IL-17A. Nevertheless, adoptive retransfer of lamina propria CXCR6⁺ T cells into Rag1 ^−/− recipients failed to induce the disease due to limited expansion of the transferred cells. By contrast, retransfer of CXCR6⁻ cells evoked colitis similar to that observed in CD4⁺CD45RB^high T cell-transferred mice, and resulted in their conversion into CXCR6⁺ cells. Collectively, these observations suggest that the CXCR6⁺CD4⁺ T-cell subset consists of terminally differentiated effector cells that serve as the major source of effector cytokines in the inflamed tissue, whereas CXCR6⁻CD4⁺ T-cell subset serves as a colitogenic memory compartment that retains the ability to proliferate and differentiate into CXCR6⁺CD4⁺ T cells.     

E-Selectin Mediated Adhesion and Migration of Endothelial Colony Forming Cells Is Enhanced by SDF-1α/CXCR4

Objective

Endothelial-colony forming cells (ECFCs) can be readily expanded from human umbilical cord blood and can facilitate repair of endothelial injury. E-selectin and SDF-1α are produced following endothelial injury and can regulate endothelial progenitor homing. Mechanisms of vascular repair specific to the mode of injury have not been well described in homogenous cell populations such as ECFCs and are needed for development of more effective vascular repair strategies.

Methods and Results

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxic injury to mature human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was compared with hypoxic and radiation injury. E-selectin expression in HUVEC cells is markedly increased (208-fold) following LPS-induced injury and facilitates increased ECFC adhesion and migration function in vitro. SDF-1α expression remains unchanged in LPS-treated HUVEC cells but increases more than 2 fold in fibroblasts undergoing similar endotoxic injury. SDF-1α induces expression of E-selectin ligands on ECFCs and facilitates greater E-selectin-mediated adhesion and migration of ECFCs in a CXCR4-dependent manner. Induction of E-selectin expression in HUVECs following hypoxic or radiation injury is negligible, however, while SDF-1α is increased markedly following hypoxia, highlighting injury-specific synergism between mediators of vascular repair.

Conclusion

E-selectin mediates adhesion and migration of ECFCs following endotoxic endothelial injury. SDF-1α augments E-selectin mediated ECFC adhesion and migration in a CXCR4-dependent manner.     

TGFβ1 priming enhances CXCR3-mediated mesenchymal stromal cell engraftment to the liver and enhances anti-inflammatory efficacy

The immunomodulatory characteristics of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) confers them with potential therapeutic value in the treatment of inflammatory/immune-mediated conditions. Previous studies have reported only modest beneficial effects in murine models of liver injury. In our study we explored the role of MSC priming to enhance their effectiveness. Herein we demonstrate that stimulation of human MSC with cytokine TGβ₁ enhances their homing and engraftment to human and murine hepatic sinusoidal endothelium in vivo and in vitro, which was mediated by increased expression of CXCR3. Alongside improved hepatic homing there was also greater reduction in liver inflammation and necrosis, with no adverse effects, in the CCL₄ murine model of liver injury treated with primed MSC. Priming of MSCs with TGFβ₁ is a novel strategy to improve the anti-inflammatory efficacy of MSCs.