Solution studies of recombinant human stromal-cell-derived factor-1

Stromal-cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1alpha) is an 8-kDa chemokine that is constitutively expressed in bone-marrow-derived stromal cells and has been identified as a ligand for the CXCR4 receptor. We produced the chemokine recombinantly as methionine-SDF-1alpha in Escherichia coli without the leader peptide sequence. The protein was denatured, refolded, and further purified by reversed-phase HPLC. SDF-1alpha was shown to be >95% pure as judged by SDS-PAGE. The final yield of purified and refolded SDF-1alpha was 1-2 mg per gram of wet cell paste. The refolded protein is a ligand for the CXCR4 receptor and has been used to block HIV-mediated cell fusion and downmodulates the CXCR4 receptor. Our ability to purify hundreds of milligrams of refolded protein allowed us to conduct detailed studies of the biophysical properties of the protein. We have used a combination of biophysical techniques to study the solution properties of SDF-1alpha. The average mass of SDF-1alpha, as determined by static light scattering, gave us the first indications that the chemokine may self-associate. Further investigation with sedimentation velocity ultracentrifugation confirmed the existence of two species. The measured s(20, W) values defined two masses corresponding to monomer and dimer. Finally, sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation and dynamic light scattering yielded a composite value of 150 +/- 30 microM for the dimerization constant. We conclude that SDF-1alpha exists in a monomer-dimer equilibrium.     

LRRC4 inhibits human glioblastoma cells proliferation, invasion, and proMMP-2 activation by reducing SDF-1 alpha/CXCR4-mediated ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathways

Gliomas take a number of different genetic routes in the progression to glioblastoma multiforme, a highly invasive variant that is mostly unresponsive to current therapies. The alpha-chemokine stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1 alpha binds to the seven transmembrane G-protein-coupled CXCR-4 receptor and acts to modulate cell migration and proliferation by activating multiple signal transduction pathways. Leucine-rich repeats containing 4 (LRRC4), a putative glioma suppressive gene, inhibits glioblastoma cells tumorigenesis in vivo and cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. We also previously demonstrated that LRRC4 controlled glioblastoma cells proliferation by ERK/AKT/NF-kappa B signaling pathway. In the present study, we demonstrate that CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is expressed in human glioblastoma U251 cell line, and that SDF-1 alpha increases the proliferation, chemotaxis, and invasion in CXCR4+ glioblastoma U251 cells through the activation of ERK1/2 and Akt. The reintroduction of LRRC4 in U251 cells inhibits the expression of CXCR4 and SDF-1 alpha/CXCR4 axis-mediated downstream intracellular pathways such as ERK1/2 and Akt leading to proliferate, chemotactic and invasive effects. Furthermore, we provide evidence for proMMP-2 activation involvement in the SDF-1 alpha/CXCR4 axis-mediated signaling pathway. LRRC4 significantly inhibits proMMP-2 activation by SDF-1 alpha/CXCR4 axis-mediated ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathway. Collectively, these results suggest a possible important "cross-talk" between LRRC4 and SDF-1 alpha/CXCR4 axis-mediated intracellular pathways that can link signals of cell proliferation, chemotaxis and invasion in glioblastoma, and may represent a new target for development of new therapeutic strategies in glioma.     

Mapping the binding of the N-terminal extracellular tail of the CXCR4 receptor to stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha

The solution structure of monomeric stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha), the natural ligand for the CXCR4 G-coupled receptor, has been solved by multidimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. The structure has a characteristic chemokine fold and is in excellent agreement with the individual subunits observed in the crystal structures of dimeric SDF-1alpha. Using various peptides derived from the N-terminal extracellular tail of the CXCR4 receptor, we show that the principal determinants of binding reside in the N-terminal 17 residues of CXCR4, with a major contribution from the first six residues. From 15N/1HN chemical shift pertubation studies we show that the interaction surface on SDF-1alpha is formed by the undersurface of the three-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet bounded by the N-terminal loop on one side and the C-terminal helix on the other. This surface overlaps with but is not identical to that mapped on several other chemokines for the binding of equivalent peptides derived from their respective receptors.     

Backbone dynamics of SDF-1alpha determined by NMR: interpretation in the presence of monomer-dimer equilibrium

SDF-1alpha is a member of the chemokine family implicated in various reactions in the immune system. The interaction of SDF-1alpha with its receptor, CXCR4, is responsible for metastasis of a variety of cancers. SDF-1alpha is also known to play a role in HIV-1 pathogenesis. The structures of SDF-1alpha determined by NMR spectroscopy have been shown to be monomeric while X-ray structures are dimeric. Biochemical data and in vivo studies suggest that dimerization is likely to be important for the function of chemokines. We report here the dynamics of SDF-1alpha determined through measurement of main chain (15)N NMR relaxation data. The data were obtained at several concentrations of SDF-1alpha and used to determine a dimerization constant of approximately 5 mM for a monomer-dimer equilibrium. The dimerization constant was subsequently used to extrapolate values for the relaxation data corresponding to monomeric SDF-1alpha. The experimental relaxation data and the extrapolated data for monomeric SDF-1alpha were analyzed using the model free approach. The model free analysis indicated that SDF-1alpha is rigid on the nano- to picosecond timescale with flexible termini. Several residues involved in the dimer interface display slow micro- to millisecond timescale motions attributable to chemical exchange such as monomer-dimer equilibrium. NMR relaxation measurements are shown to be applicable for studying oligomerization processes such as the dimerization of SDF-1alpha.     

Recognition of a CXCR4 sulfotyrosine by the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha/CXCL12)

Tyrosine sulfation of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 enhances its interaction with the chemokine SDF-1alpha. Given similar post-translational modification of other receptors, including CCR5, CX3CR1 and CCR2b, tyrosine sulfation may be of universal importance in chemokine signaling. N-terminal domains from seven transmembrane chemokine receptors have been employed for structural studies of chemokine-receptor interactions, but never in the context of proper post-translational modifications known to affect function. A CXCR4 peptide modified at position 21 by expressed tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase-1 and unmodified peptide are both disordered in solution, but bind SDF-1alpha with low micromolar affinities. NMR and fluorescence polarization measurements showed that the CXCR4 peptide stabilizes dimeric SDF-1alpha, and that sulfotyrosine 21 binds a specific site on the chemokine that includes arginine 47. We conclude that the SDF-1alpha dimer preferentially interacts with receptor peptide, and residues beyond the extreme N-terminal region of CXCR4, including sulfotyrosine 21, make specific contacts with the chemokine ligand.     

Stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha/CXCL12) stimulates ovarian cancer cell growth through the EGF receptor transactivation

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death in gynecologic diseases in which there is evidence for a complex chemokine network. Chemokines are a family of proteins that play an important role in tumor progression influencing cell proliferation, angiogenic/angiostatic processes, cell migration and metastasis, and, finally, regulating the immune cells recruitment into the tumor mass. We previously demonstrated that astrocytes and glioblastoma cells express both the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), and that SDF-1alpha treatment induced cell proliferation, supporting the hypothesis that chemokines may play an important role in tumor cells' growth in vitro. In the present study, we report that CXCR4 and SDF-1 are expressed in OC cell lines. We demonstrate that SDF-1alpha induces a dose-dependent proliferation in OC cells, by the specific interaction with CXCR4 and a biphasic activation of ERK1/2 and Akt kinases. Our results further indicate that CXCR4 activation induces EGF receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation that in turn was linked to the downstream intracellular kinases activation, ERK1/2 and Akt. In addition, we provide evidence for cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase (c-Src) involvement in the SDF-1/CXCR4-EGFR transactivation. These results suggest a possible important "cross-talk" between SDF-1/CXCR4 and EGFR intracellular pathways that may link signals of cell proliferation in ovarian cancer.     

Molecular dynamics simulations on SDF-1alpha: binding with CXCR4 receptor

Insights into the interacting mode of CXCR4 with SDF-1alpha are crucial in understanding the structural and functional characteristics of CXCR4 receptor. In this paper a computational pipeline, integrating protein structure prediction, molecular dynamics simulations, automated molecular docking, and Brownian dynamics simulations were employed to investigate the dynamic and energetic aspects of CXCR4 associating with SDF-1alpha. The entire simulation revealed the surface distribution feature of electrostatic potentials and conformational "open-close" process of the receptor. The possible binding conformation of CXCR4 was identified, and the CXCR4-SDF-1alpha binding complex was generated. Arg188-Glu277 salt bridge plays an important role for both the extracellular domain conformational change and SDF-1alpha binding. Two binding sites were mapped at the extracellular domain (Site 1) and inside the transmembrane domain (Site 2), which are composed of conserved residues. Sites 1 and 2 contribute approximately 60% and 40% to the binding affinity with SDF-1alpha, respectively. The binding model is in agreement with most of the experimental data. Transmembrane VI has more significant motion in the harmonious conformational transition of CXCR4 during SDF-1alpha binding, which may be possibly associated with signal transduction. Based on the modeling and simulation, a binding mechanism hypothesis between CXCR4 and SDF-1alpha and its relationship to the signal transduction has been proposed.     

Possible role of stromal-cell-derived factor-1/CXCR4 signaling on lymph node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

We examined the role of chemokine signaling on the lymph node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) using lymph node metastatic (HNt and B88) and nonmetastatic oral SCC cells. Of 13 kinds of chemokine receptors examined, only CXCR4 expression was up-regulated in HNt and B88 cells. CXCR4 ligand, stromal-cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha; CXCL12), induced characteristic calcium fluxes and chemotaxis only in CXCR4-expressing cells. CXCR4 expression in metastatic cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in nonmetastatic cancer tissue or normal gingiva. Although SDF-1alpha was undetectable in either oral SCC or normal epithelial cells, submandibular lymph nodes expressed the SDF-1alpha protein, mainly in the stromal cells, but occasionally in metastatic cancer cells. The conditioned medium from lymphatic stromal cells promoted the chemotaxis of B88 cells, which was blocked by the CXCR4 neutralization. SDF-1alpha rapidly activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and Akt/protein kinase B (PKB), and their synthetic inhibitors attenuated the chemotaxis by SDF-1alpha. SDF-1alpha also activated Src family kinases (SFKs), and its inhibitor PP1 diminished the SDF-1alpha-induced chemotaxis and activation of both ERK1/2 and Akt/PKB. These results indicate that SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling may be involved in the establishment of lymph node metastasis in oral SCC via activation of both ERK1/2 and Akt/PKB induced by SFKs.     

The stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha/CXCR4 ligand-receptor axis is critical for progenitor survival and migration in the pancreas

The SDF-1alpha/CXCR4 ligand/chemokine receptor pair is required for appropriate patterning during ontogeny and stimulates the growth and differentiation of critical cell types. Here, we demonstrate SDF-1alpha and CXCR4 expression in fetal pancreas. We have found that SDF-1alpha and its receptor CXCR4 are expressed in islets, also CXCR4 is expressed in and around the proliferating duct epithelium of the regenerating pancreas of the interferon (IFN) gamma-nonobese diabetic mouse. We show that SDF-1alpha stimulates the phosphorylation of Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and Src in pancreatic duct cells. Furthermore, migration assays indicate a stimulatory effect of SDF-1alpha on ductal cell migration. Importantly, blocking the SDF-1alpha/CXCR4 axis in IFNgamma-nonobese diabetic mice resulted in diminished proliferation and increased apoptosis in the pancreatic ductal cells. Together, these data indicate that the SDF-1alpha-CXCR4 ligand receptor axis is an obligatory component in the maintenance of duct cell survival, proliferation, and migration during pancreatic regeneration.     

SDF-1 alpha induces chemotaxis and enhances Sonic hedgehog-induced proliferation of cerebellar granule cells

The chemokine SDF-1 alpha (CXC12) and its receptor CXCR4 have been shown to play a role in the development of normal cerebellar cytoarchitecture. We report here that SDF-1 alpha both induces chemotactic responses in granule precursor cells and enhances granule cell proliferative responses to Sonic hedgehog. Chemotactic and proliferative responses to SDF-1 alpha are greater in granule cells obtained from cerebella of animals in the first postnatal week, coinciding with the observed in vivo peak in cerebellar CXCR4 expression. SDF-1 alpha activation of neuronal CXCR4 differs from activation of CXCR4 in leukocytes in that SDF-1 alpha-induced calcium flux is activity dependent, requiring predepolarization with KCl or pretreatment with glutamate. However, as is the case in leukocytes, neuronal responses to SDF-1 alpha are all abolished by pretreatment of granule cells with pertussis toxin, suggesting they occur through G(alpha i) activation. In conclusion, SDF-1 alpha plays a role in two important processes of granule cell maturation - proliferation and migration - assisting in the achievement of appropriate cell number and position in the cerebellar cortex.     

Lower expression of CXCR4 in lymph node metastases than in primary breast cancers: potential regulation by ligand-dependent degradation and HIF-1alpha

Stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is a unique ligand of the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), which is critically involved in the metastasis of breast cancer. High levels of SDF-1 in the common destination organs of metastasis, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and bones, attract CXCR4-positive tumor cells. The interaction between SDF-1 and CXCR4 leads to the activation of specific signaling pathways, allowing for homing and metastatic progression. However, regulation of CXCR4 expression at the metastatic organ site is not well-documented. We detected the expression of CXCR4 and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha in breast tumor tissues by immunohistochemical staining and analyzed SDF-1 in primary tumors and lymph nodes using real-time RT-PCR. Compared to the corresponding metastasized tumors in the lymph nodes, primary invasive carcinomas showed more intense staining for CXCR4, particularly on the cellular membrane. Both primary tumors and lymph node metastases exhibited higher levels of CXCR4 expression compared to non-neoplastic breast tissues. Therefore, we hypothesized that the tumor environment in the lymph nodes may cause the reduction of CXCR4 levels in the metastatic tumor cells because of: (1) high SDF-1 levels and (2) lower levels of HIF-1alpha. Our in vitro data demonstrated that high levels of SDF-1 can induce the internalization and degradation of CXCR4 through the lysosome pathway. In addition, lower levels of HIF-1alpha in the lymph node metastases, probably induced by the less hypoxic environment, further lowered CXCR4 levels. These results indicate that ligand-dependent degradation and lower HIF-1alpha levels may be potential causes of lowered levels of CXCR4 in the lymph nodes compared to the primary tumors. Our study suggests that CXCR4 levels in tumor cells are regulated by its microenvironment. These findings may enhance our ability to understand the biological behavior of breast cancers.     

SDF-1alpha/CXCR4: a mechanism for hepatic oval cell activation and bone marrow stem cell recruitment to the injured liver of rats

Stromal derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1alpha) and its receptor CXCR4 have been shown to play a role in the systematic movement of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in the fetal and adult stages of hematopoiesis. Under certain physiological conditions liver oval cells can participate in the regeneration of the liver. We have shown that a percentage of oval cells are of hematopoietic origin. Others have shown that bone marrow derived stem cells can participate in liver regeneration as well. In this study we examined the role of SDF-1alpha and its receptor CXCR4 as a possible mechanism for oval cell activation in oval cell aided liver regeneration. In massive liver injury models where oval cell repair is involved hepatocytes up-regulate the expression of SDF-1alpha, a potent chemoattractant for hematopoietic cells. However, when moderate liver injury occurs, proliferation of resident hepatocytes repairs the injury. Under these conditions SDF-1alpha expression is not up-regulated and oval cells are not activated in the liver. In addition, we show that oval cells express CXCR4, the only known receptor for SDF-1alpha. Lastly, in vitro chemotaxis assays demonstrated that oval cells migrate along a SDF-1alpha gradient which suggests that the SDF-1alpha/CXCR4 interaction is a mechanism by which the oval cell compartment could be activated and possibly recruit a second wave of bone marrow stem cells to the injured liver. In conclusion, these experiments begin to shed light on a possible mechanism, which may someday lead to a better understanding of the hepatic and hematopoietic interaction in oval cell aided liver regeneration.     

HIV-1 envelope is a neutral antagonist to CXCR4 in T-cells

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is the principal coreceptor for X4 strains of HIV-1. We show that gp120 is unable to induce interactions between CXCR4 and G-protein in T-cells, but antagonized the agonist effect of SDF-1alpha, the natural ligand for CXCR4. Gp120 had ten times lower affinity for CXCR4 than CD4, implying that a substantial role for cellular CD4 may be to facilitate binding of the viral envelope to CXCR4. Binding of gp120 to CXCR4 was neither regulated by guanine nucleotides, nor affected by divalent cations, was temperature independent and bound to a homogenous population of CXCR4, which is characteristic for an antagonist to a G-protein coupled receptor. In contrast, SDF-1alpha binds to two affinity states of CXCR4 in T-cell membranes, which are modulated by guanine nucleotides. Binding of SDF-1alpha to CXCR4 was highly temperature dependent. Thus, the interaction of CXCR4 with HIV-1 viral envelope and chemokine exhibits fundamental differences.     

Stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha induces astrocyte proliferation through the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 pathway

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), the ligand of the CXCR4 receptor, is a chemokine involved in chemotaxis and brain development that also acts as co-receptor for HIV-1 infection. We previously demonstrated that CXCR4 and SDF-1alpha are expressed in cultured type-I cortical rat astrocytes, cortical neurones and cerebellar granule cells. Here, we investigated the possible functions of CXCR4 expressed in rat type-I cortical astrocytes and demonstrated that SDF-1alpha stimulated the proliferation of these cells in vitro. The proliferative activity induced by SDF-1alpha in astrocytes was reduced by PD98059, indicating the involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) in the astrocyte proliferation induced by CXCR4 stimulation. This observation was further confirmed showing that SDF-1alpha treatment selectively activated ERK1/2, but not p38 or stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). Moreover, both astrocyte proliferation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, induced by SDF-1alpha, were inhibited by pertussis toxin (PTX) and wortmannin treatment indicating the involvement of a PTX sensitive G-protein and of phosphatidyl inositol-3 kinase in the signalling of SDF-1alpha. In addition, Pyk2 activation represent an upstream components for the CXCR4 signalling to ERK1/2 in astrocytes. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating a proliferative effect for SDF-1alpha in primary cultures of rat type-I astrocytes, and showing that the activation of ERK1/2 is responsible for this effect. These data suggest that CXCR4/SDF-1 should play an important role in physiological and pathological glial proliferation, such as brain development, reactive gliosis and brain tumour formation.     

Trafficking of the HIV coreceptor CXCR4. Role of arrestins and identification of residues in the c-terminal tail that mediate receptor internalization.

The G protein-coupled chemokine receptor CXCR4 serves as the primary coreceptor for entry of T-cell tropic human immunodeficiency virus. CXCR4 undergoes tonic internalization as well as internalization in response to stimulation with phorbol esters and ligand (SDF-1alpha). We investigated the trafficking of this receptor, and we attempted to define the residues of CXCR4 that were critical for receptor internalization. In both COS-1 and HEK-293 cells transiently overexpressing CXCR4, SDF-1alpha and phorbol esters (PMA) promoted rapid internalization of cell surface receptors as assessed by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence analysis. Expression of GRK2 and/or arrestins promoted modest additional CXCR4 internalization in response to both PMA and SDF. Both PMA- and SDF-mediated CXCR4 internalization was inhibited by coexpression of dominant negative mutants of dynamin-1 and arrestin-3. Arrestin was also recruited to the plasma membrane and appeared to colocalize with internalized receptors in response to SDF but not PMA. We then evaluated the ability of CXCR4 receptors containing mutations of serines and threonines, as well as a dileucine motif, within the C-terminal tail to be internalized and phosphorylated in response to either PMA or SDF-1alpha. This analysis showed that multiple residues within the CXCR4 C-terminal tail appear to mediate both PMA- and SDF-1alpha-mediated receptor internalization. The ability of coexpressed GRK2 and arrestins to promote internalization of the CXCR4 mutants revealed distinct differences between respective mutants and suggested that the integrity of the dileucine motif (Ile-328 and Leu-329) and serines 324, 325, 338, and 339 are critical for receptor internalization.     

Stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha directly modulates voltage-dependent currents of the action potential in mammalian neuronal cells

Stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) is a chemokine whose receptor, CXCR4, is distributed in specific brain areas including hypothalamus. SDF-1alpha has recently been found to play important roles in neurons, although direct modulation of voltage-gated ionic channels has never been shown. In order to clarify this issue, we performed patch-clamp experiments in fetal mouse hypothalamic neurons in culture. SDF-1alpha (10 nm) decreased the peak and rising slope of the action potentials and spike discharge frequency in 22% of hypothalamic neurons tested. This effect was blocked by the CXCR4 antagonist AMD 3100 (1 microm) but not by the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist MCPG (500 microm), indicating a direct action of SDF-1alpha on its cognate receptor. This effect involved a depression of both inward and outward voltage-dependent currents of the action potential. We confirmed these effects in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, which endogenously expresses CXCR4. Voltage-clamp experiments revealed that SDF-1alpha induced a 20% decrease in the peak of the tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium current and tetraethylammonium-sensitive delayed rectifier potassium current, respectively. Both effects were concentration dependent, and blocked by AMD 3100 (200 nm). This dual effect was reduced or blocked by 0.4 mm GTPgammaS G-protein pre-activation or by pre-treatment with the G-protein inhibitor pertussis toxin (200 ng/mL), suggesting that it is mediated via activation of a G(i/o) protein. This study extends the functions of SDF-1alpha to a direct modulation of voltage-dependent membrane currents of neuronal cells.     

CXCR4 receptor expression on human retinal pigment epithelial cells from the blood-retina barrier leads to chemokine secretion and migration in response to stromal cell-derived factor 1 alpha

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells form part of the blood-retina barrier and have recently been shown to produce various chemokines in response to proinflammatory cytokines. As the scope of chemokine action has been shown to extend beyond the regulation of leukocyte migration, we have investigated the expression of chemokine receptors on RPE cells to determine whether they could be a target for chemokine signaling. RT-PCR analysis indicated that the predominant receptor expressed on RPE cells was CXCR4. The level of CXCR4 mRNA expression, but not cell surface expression, increased on stimulation with IL-1beta or TNF-alpha. CXCR4 protein could be detected on the surface of 16% of the RPE cells using flow cytometry. Calcium mobilization in response to the CXCR4 ligand stromal cell-derived factor 1alpha (SDF-1alpha) indicated that the CXCR4 receptors were functional. Incubation with SDF-1alpha resulted in secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-8, and growth-related oncogene alpha. RPE cells also migrated in response to SDF-1alpha. As SDF-1alpha expression by RPE cells was detected constitutively, we postulate that SDF-1-CXCR4 interactions may modulate the affects of chronic inflammation and subretinal neovascularization at the RPE site of the blood-retina barrier.     

SDF-1alpha promotes invasion of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by activating NF-kappaB

CXCL12/stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha), a chemokine ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor CXCR4, plays an important role in the directed movement of cells. Many studies have documented the importance of CXCR4 in tumor progression and organ-specific metastasis. Recently, several studies have implicated a role for SDF-1alpha in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) metastasis, but currently there is little information about how SDF-1alpha promotes HNSCC metastasis. In this report we show that the NF-kappaB signaling pathway is activated in response to SDF-1alpha in HNSCC while primary and immortalized keratinocytes show no SDF-1alpha-mediated NF-kappaB activity. We found that SDF-1alpha-mediated NF-kappaB signaling is independent of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and ERK/MAPK pathways. We observed that SDF-1alpha induces IkappaBalpha phosphorylation and degradation and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB in HNSCC cell lines, suggesting that SDF-1alpha activates the classical NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Contrary to previous reports, SDF-1alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation is not mediated by tumor necrosis factor alpha. Furthermore, blocking the NF-kappaB signaling pathway with an IKKbeta inhibitor significantly reduces SDF-1alpha-mediated HNSCC invasion. Taken together, our data suggest SDF-1alpha/CXCR4 may promote HNSCC invasion and metastasis by activating NF-kappaB and that targeting NF-kappaB may provide therapeutic opportunities in preventing HNSCC metastasis mediated by SDF-1alpha.     

Optimal inhibition of X4 HIV isolates by the CXC chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 alpha requires interaction with cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans

The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) is the natural ligand for CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). SDF-1 inhibits infection of CD4+ cells by X4 (CXCR4-dependent) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) strains. We previously showed that SDF-1 alpha interacts specifically with heparin or heparan sulfates (HSs). Herein, we delimited the boundaries of the HS-binding domain located in the first beta-strand of SDF-1 alpha as the critical residues. We also provide evidence that binding to cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) determines the capacity of SDF-1 alpha to prevent the fusogenic activity of HIV-1 X4 isolates in leukocytes. Indeed, SDF-1 alpha mutants lacking the capacity to interact with HSPGs showed a substantially reduced capacity to prevent cell-to-cell fusion mediated by X4 HIV envelope glycoproteins. Moreover, the enzymatic removal of cell surface HS diminishes the HIV-inhibitory capacity of the chemokine to the levels shown by the HS-binding-disabled mutant counterparts. The mechanisms underlying the optimal HIV-inhibitory activity of SDF-1 alpha when attached to HSPGs were investigated. Combining fluorescence resonance energy transfer and laser confocal microscopy, we demonstrate the concomitant binding of SDF-1 alpha to CXCR4 and HSPGs at the cell membrane. Using FRET between a Texas Red-labeled SDF-1 alpha and an enhanced green fluorescent protein-tagged CXCR4, we show that binding of SDF-1 alpha to cell surface HSPGs modifies neither the kinetics of occupancy nor activation in real time of CXCR4 by the chemokine. Moreover, attachment to HSPGs does not modify the potency of the chemokine to promote internalization of CXCR4. Attachment to cellular HSPGs may co-operate in the optimal anti-HIV activity of SDF-1 alpha by increasing the local concentration of the chemokine in the surrounding environment of CXCR4, thus facilitating sustained occupancy and down-regulation of the HIV coreceptor.