CCL5 induces a pro-inflammatory profile in microglia in vitro

The chemokine receptors CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR2 have been found to be expressed on microglia in many neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. There is emerging evidence that chemokines, besides chemoattraction, might directly modulate reactive profiles of microglia. To address this hypothesis we have investigated the effects of CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, and CXCL1 on cytokine and growth factor production, NO synthesis, and phagocytosis in non-stimulated and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated primary rat microglia. The respective receptors CCR1, CCR5, and CXCR2 were shown to be functionally expressed on microglia. All tested chemokines stimulated chemotaxis whereas only CCL5 increased NO secretion and attenuated IL-10 as well as IGF-1 production in activated microglia. Based on these findings we propose that besides its chemoattractant function CCL5 has a modulatory effect on activated microglia.     

ALPK1 regulates streptozotocin‐induced nephropathy through CCL2 and CCL5 expressions

ALPK1 is associated with chronic kidney disease, gout and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Raised renal ALPK1 level in patients with diabetes was reported. Accelerated fibrotic nephropathies were observed in hyperglycaemic mice with up‐regulated ALPK1. The aim of this study was to identify the mediators contributing to ALPK1 effect involving in nephropathies induction. The haematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemical analysis of ALPK1, NFkB, CCL2 and CCL5 were performed in the mice kidney. Cytokine antibody array analysis was performed in streptozotocin‐treated wild‐type mice (WT‐STZ) and streptozotocin‐treated ALPK1 transgenic mice (TG‐STZ). The ALPK1 levels were measured in mice kidney and in cultured cells. We found that the higher levels of renal CCL2/MCP‐1, CCL5/Rantes and G‐CSF expression in TG‐STZ compared with the WT‐STZ. Glucose increased ALPK1 expressions in monocytic THP1 and human kidney‐2 cells. The protein expression of ALPK1, NFkB and lectin was up‐regulated in glucose‐treated HK‐2 cells. Knockdown of ALPK1 reduced CCL2 and CCL5 mRNA levels, whereas overexpressed ALPK1 increased CCL2 and CCL5 in cultured kidney cells. Taken together, these results show that high glucose increases ALPK1 and chemokine levels in the kidney. Elevated ALPK1 expression enhances renal CCL2 and CCL5 expressions in vivo and in vitro. ALPK1 is a mediator for CCL2 and CCL5 chemokine up‐regulation involving in diabetic nephropathies induction.     

槐杞黄颗粒联合吸入糖皮质激素对支气管哮喘患儿肺功能、细胞免疫因子及CCL3、CCL5水平的影响

摘要 目的：探讨槐杞黄颗粒联合吸入糖皮质激素对支气管哮喘患儿肺功能、细胞免疫因子及趋化因子3（CCL3）、趋化因子5（CCL5）水平的影响。方法：按照随机数字表法,将我院收治的轻度持续性支气管哮喘患儿（n=90）,分为对照组（吸入糖皮质激素,45例）和研究组（槐杞黄颗粒联合吸入糖皮质激素,45例）,两组均治疗3个月。对比两组患儿治疗前、治疗后1、3、6个月的常规肺功能、细胞免疫因子及CCL3、CCL5水平。观察两组临床疗效、指标和不良反应。结果：研究组的临床总有效率71.11%（32/45）高于对照组91%（41/45）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。治疗后1个月（T2）、治疗后3个月（T3）、治疗后6个月（T4）时间点,两组第1秒用力呼气量占预测值百分比（FEV₁%）、呼气峰流速占预测值百分比（PEF%）、最大呼气中期流速占预计值的百分比（MMEF75/25）升高,总呼吸阻抗（Z5）、肺弹性阻力（X5）及共振频率（Fres）下降,且研究组的改变程度大于对照组（P<0.05）。T2、T3、T4时间点,两组免疫球蛋白（IgE）、白细胞介素-4（IL-4）、白细胞介素-5（IL-5）、白细胞介素-13（IL-13）、白细胞介素-17（IL-17）下降,且研究组的改变程度大于对照组（P<0.05）。T2、T3、T4时间点,两组CCL3、CCL5下降,且研究组的改变程度大于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率组间对比无差异（P>0.05）。研究组C-ACT评分高于对照组,呼吸道感染次数、哮喘发作次数少于对照组（P<0.05）。两组因哮喘住院次数组间对比未见统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论：槐杞黄颗粒联合吸入糖皮质激素治疗支气管哮喘,可促进患儿肺功能恢复,改善细胞免疫因子及CCL3、CCL5水平。     

A myriad of functions and complex regulation of the CCR7/CCL19/CCL21 chemokine axis in the adaptive immune system

The chemokine receptor CCR7 and its ligands CCL19 and CCL21 control a diverse array of migratory events in adaptive immune function. Most prominently, CCR7 promotes homing of T cells and DCs to T cell areas of lymphoid tissues where T cell priming occurs. However, CCR7 and its ligands also contribute to a multitude of adaptive immune functions including thymocyte development, secondary lymphoid organogenesis, high affinity antibody responses, regulatory and memory T cell function, and lymphocyte egress from tissues. In this survey, we summarise the role of CCR7 in adaptive immunity and describe recent progress in understanding how this axis is regulated. In particular we highlight CCX-CKR, which scavenges both CCR7 ligands, and discuss its emerging significance in the immune system.     

基于同尾酶技术构建CCL3L1 基因串联重组质粒的方法

目的:利用同尾酶技术将CCL3L1基因重复连续插入pcDNA6.2-GW/miR载体,构建含有CCL3L1基因串联体的重组质粒,实现小片段CCL3L1有效延长。方法:PCR扩增CCL3L1基因并在引物的两端设有同尾酶BamHI和BglII限制性内切酶位点,纯化PCR产物插入pMD18-T载体,阳性克隆命名为pMD18T-CCL3L1。BamHI和BglII双酶切pMD18T-CCL3L1和pcDNA6.2-GW/miR载体后将第一个CCL3L1片段插入pcDNA6.2-GW/miR载体命名为pcDNA6.2-CCL3L1-1。由于载体本身在BglII位点后带有XhoI酶切位点利用BamHI和XhoI切割pcDNA6.2-CCL3L1-1回收CCL3L1片段,BglII和XhoI切割pcDNA6.2-CCL3L1-1回收大片段做载体重组形成含有两个连续CCL3L1片段的质粒命名为pcDNA6.2-CCL3L1-2,重复此步骤可得到含有N个CCL3L1基因串联体的重组质粒pcDNA6.2-CCL3L1-X。结果:经酶切和测序证实成功构建含有4个CCL3L1基因串联体的重组质粒pcDNA6.2-CCL3L1-4,并同时产生含有1个和2个CCL3L1基因串联体的重组质粒。结论:利用同尾酶技术可以快速有效地构建CCL3L1基因串联重组质粒,实现目的片段的无限扩大,为小片段基因表达的研究奠定基础。     

The N-terminal domain of CCL21 reconstitutes high affinity binding, G protein activation, and chemotactic activity, to the C-terminal domain of CCL19

CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7), which regulates the trafficking of leucocytes to the secondary lymphoid organs, has two endogenous chemokine ligands: CCL19 and CCL21. Although both ligands possess similar affinities for the receptor and similar abilities to promote G protein activation and chemotaxis, they share only 25% sequence identity. Here, we show that substituting N-terminal six amino acids of CCL21 (SDGGAQ) for the corresponding N-terminal domain of CCL19 (GTNDAE) results in a chimeric chemokine that exhibits high affinity binding and G protein activation of CCR7. These data demonstrate that despite dissimilar sequences, the amino terminal hexapeptide of these two chemokines is capable of performing similar roles resulting in receptor activation.     

Modulation of eotaxin-3 (CCL26) in alveolar type II epithelial cells

Airway epithelial inflammation associated with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma is regulated in part by alveolar type II cell chemokine signaling. Data suggest that resident lung cells use CCR3, CCR5 and CCR2 chemokine receptor/ligand systems to regulate the profile of leukocytes recruited in disease-associated inflammatory conditions. Thus studies were designed to test whether alveolar type II cells possess a Th1-activated CCR5-ligand system that modulates the Th2-activated CCR3/eotaxin-2 (CCL24), eotaxin-3 (CCL26) chemokine systems. The A549 alveolar type II epithelial-like cell culture model was used to demonstrate that alveolar type II cells constitutively express CCR5 which may be upregulated by MIP-1alpha (CCL3) whose expression was induced by the Th1 cytokines IL-1beta and IFN-gamma. Selective down-regulation of CCL26, but not CCL24, was observed in CCL3 and IL-4/CCL3 stimulated cells. Down-regulation was reversed by anti-CCR5 neutralizing antibody treatment. Thus, one mechanism through which Th1-activated CCCR5/ligand pathways modulate Th2-activated CCR3/ligand pathways is the differential down-regulation of CCL26 expression. Results suggest that the CCR3 and CCR5 receptor/ligand signaling pathways may be important targets for development of novel mechanism-based adjunctive therapies designed to abrogate the chronic inflammation associated with airway diseases.     

Higher circulating levels of chemokines CXCL10, CCL20 and CCL22 in patients with ischemic heart disease

Recruitment of leukocytes is one of the earliest events in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and chemokines play an important role in the migration of these cells into the inflammation sites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CXCL10, CCL20 and CCL22 levels and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs4508917, rs6749704 and rs4359426 in chemokine genes in patients with IHD to clarify any association. A total of 300 patients with IHD as having acute myocardial infarction (AMI; n = 100), stable angina (SA; n = 100) or unstable angina (UA; n = 100) and 100 healthy subjects as a control group were enrolled to study. Serum samples from all participants were tested for the CXCL10, CCL20 and CCL22 levels by using ELISA. The SNPs were determined by polymerase chain reaction–restriction length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) method. The mean serum concentrations of CXCL10, CCL20 and CCL22 in AMI patients (395.97 ± 21.20 Pg/mL, 108.38 ± 10.31 Pg/mL and 1852.58 ± 205.77 Pg/mL), SA patients (405.48 ± 27.36 Pg/mL, 90.20 ± 7.69 Pg/mL and 2322.04 ± 231.23 Pg/mL) and UA patients (396.69 ± 22.79 Pg/mL, 141.87 ± 18.10 Pg/mL and 2754.89 ± 211.70 Pg/mL) were significantly higher than in the healthy group (179.38 ± 8.85 Pg/mL, 51.92 ± 4.62 Pg/mL and 451.82 ± 23.76 Pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.001). Similarly, the serum levels of CXCL10, CCL20 and CCL22 in total IHD patients (399.38 ± 13.77 Pg/mL, 113.49 ± 7.48 Pg/mL and 2309.84 ± 126.39 Pg/mL, respectively) were also significantly higher as compared with healthy subjects (P < 0.001). The serum levels of CCL20 and CCL22 in UA patients were significantly higher than those in SA and AMI patients, respectively (P < 0.01 and P < 0.003, respectively). The serum levels of CXCL10 and CCL20 in diabetic patients were significantly higher in comparison to non-diabetic patients (P < 0.05 and P < 0.02, respectively). The serum levels of CCL22 in dyslipidemic- and obese patients were also significantly higher in comparison with non-dyslipidemic- and non-obese patients, correspondingly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). There were no significant differences between men and women or between patients who treated with statin, aspirin, β-blockers or angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and patients without mentioned treatment regarding the levels of chemokines. The frequency of the GG genotype at SNP rs4508917 in CXCL10 gene was higher, whereas the frequency of the AA genotype at SNP rs4359426 in CCL22 gene was lower in total patients with IHD as compared with healthy subjects (P < 0.04 and P < 0.002, respectively). These results showed that the higher levels of CXCL10, CCL20 and CCL22 were associated with IHD. The serum levels of chemokines may influence by the certain traditional risk factors of IHD and some studied SNPs, but did not influence by treatment and gender of patients.     

Regulation of human eotaxin-3/CCL26 expression: modulation by cytokines and glucocorticoids

Eotaxin-3 (CCL26) is a CC chemokine that signals exclusively via the CCR3 receptor and has eosinophil-selective chemoattractant activity. Comparison of Eotaxin-1 (CCL11) and Eotaxin-2 (CCL24), demonstrates differences in their expression profiles, cell specificity and effector kinetics, implying distinct biological actions. But little data in this regard have been reported for Eotaxin-3. We aimed to analyse the effect of Th2 cytokines and glucocorticoids on Eotaxin-3 mRNA expression in human lung epithelial cells and dermal fibroblasts; cells implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma and allergic dermatitis respectively. Eotaxin-3 mRNA levels in primary dermal fibroblasts and NCI-H727 lung epithelial cells were determined by Northern hybridization. In contrast to Eotaxin-1, Eotaxin-3 mRNA expression was not detected in unstimulated cells. The Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 induced Eotaxin-3 expression in a time and dose dependent manner, with IL-4 demonstrating a 100-fold greater potency. Unlike Eotaxin-1, Eotaxin-3 mRNA expression was not induced by either tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or interleukin (IL)-1 beta alone. Both IL-4 and IL-13 acted synergistically with TNF-alpha in superinducing Eotaxin-3 mRNA expression. Dexamethasone pre-treatment diminished induction of Eotaxin-3 mRNA expression. We conclude that modulation of Eotaxin-3 mRNA expression by Th(2) cytokines is different from that of Eotaxin-1 and Eotaxin-2, further supporting a distinct biological role for Eotaxin-3.     

Angiogenic activity of human CC chemokine CCL15 in vitro and in vivo

CCL15 is a novel human CC chemokine and exerts its biological activities on immune cells through CCR1 and CCR3. Because a number of chemokines induce angiogenesis and endothelial cells express CCR1 and CCR3, we investigated the angiogenic activity of CCL15. Both CCL15(1-92) and N-terminal truncated CCL15(25-92) stimulate the chemotactic endothelial cell migration and differentiation, but CCL15(25-92) is at least 100-fold more potent than CCL15(1-92). Treatment with pertussis toxin (PTX), with anti-CCR1, or with anti-CCR3 antibody inhibits the CCL15(25-92)-induced endothelial cell migration. CCL15(25-92) also stimulates sprouting of vessels from aortic rings and mediates angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Our findings demonstrate that CCL15(25-92) has in vitro and in vivo angiogenic activity, and suggest roles of the chemokine in angiogenesis.     

CCL27的不同剪切机制及其功能差异

CCL27是一种CC型趋化因子,其配体为CCR10。由于mRNA剪切的不同,CCL27形成两种不同的分子,即经典CCL27和其变异体PESKY,前者含分泌肽,对活化CD4＋T细胞有趋化作用,是皮肤炎症反应中扮演主要角色的趋化因子;后者含有核内定位序列,调控细胞骨架结构的重排,这一特性为该趋化因子所独有,可能预示着趋化因子家族的新功能。     

Increased levels of soluble interleukin-6 receptor and CCL3 in COPD sputum

Background

COPD patients have increased numbers of macrophages and neutrophils in the lungs. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) trans-signaling via its soluble receptor sIL-6R, governs the influx of innate immune cells to inflammatory foci through regulation of the chemokine CCL3. We hypothesized that there would be enhanced levels of IL-6, sIL-6R and CCL3 in COPD sputum.

Methods

59 COPD patients, 15 HNS and 15 S underwent sputum induction and processing with phosphate buffered saline to obtain supernatants for IL-6, sIL-6R and CCL3 analysis. Cytoslides were produced for differential cell counting and immunocytochemistry (COPD; n = 3) to determine cell type surface expression of the CCL3 receptors CCR5 and CCR1.

Results

COPD patients expressed higher levels (p < 0.05) of sIL-6R and CCL3 compared to controls (sIL-6R medians pg/ml: COPD 166.4 vs S 101.1 vs HNS 96.4; CCL3 medians pg/ml: COPD 117.9 vs S 0 vs HNS 2.7). COPD sIL-6R levels were significantly correlated with sputum neutrophil (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001) and macrophage (r = 0.3, p = 0.01) counts. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that CCR5 and CCR1 were exclusively expressed on airway macrophages.

Conclusion

Enhanced airway generation of sIL-6R may promote IL-6 trans-signaling in COPD. Associated upregulation of CCL3 may facilitate the recruitment of macrophages into the airways by ligation of CCR1 and CCR5.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12931-014-0103-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

T lymphocyte chemotactic chemokines in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML): local release by native human AML blasts and systemic levels of CXCL10 (IP-10), CCL5 (RANTES) and CCL17 (TARC)

T cell targeting immunotherapy is now considered in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and local recruitment of antileukemic T cells to the AML microcompartment will then be essential. This process is probably influenced by both intravascular as well as extravascular levels of T cell chemotactic chemokines. We observed that native human AML cells usually showed constitutive secretion of the chemotactic chemokines CXCL10 and CCL5, whereas CCL17 was only released for a subset of patients and at relatively low levels. Coculture of AML cells with nonleukemic stromal cells (i.e., fibroblasts, osteoblasts) increased CXCL10 and CCL17 levels whereas CCL5 levels were not altered. However, a wide variation between patients in both CXCL10 and CCL5 levels persisted even in the presence of the stromal cells. Neutralization of CXCL10 and CCL5 inhibited T cell migration in the presence of native human AML cells. Furthermore, serum CCL17 and CXCL10 levels varied between AML patients and were determined by disease status (both chemokines) as well as patient age, chemotherapy and complicating infections (only CCL17). Thus, extravascular as well as intravascular levels of T cell chemotactic chemokines show a considerable variation between patients that may be important for T cell recruitment and the effects of antileukemic T cell reactivity in local AML compartments.     

Production of CCL20 from lung cancer cells induces the cell migration and proliferation through PI3K pathway

Tumour inflammatory microenvironment is considered to play a role in the sensitivity of tumour cells to therapies and prognosis of patients with lung cancer. The expression of CCL20, one of the critical chemoattractants responsible for inflammation cells recruitment, has been shown overexpressed in variety of tumours. This study aimed at investigating potential mechanisms of CCL20 function and production in human non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Expression of CCL20 gene and protein in lung tissues of patients with NSCLC and NSCLC cells (A549) were determined. The interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced signal pathways in A549 and the effect of CCL20‐induced A549 cell migration and proliferation were determined using migration assays and cell‐alive monitoring system. Mechanisms of signal pathways involved in the migration of CCL20 were also studied. We initially found that NSCLC tumour tissues markedly overexpressed CCL20 in comparison with normal lung samples. In addition, IL‐1β could directly promote CCL20 production in lung cancer cells, which was inhibited by extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 inhibitor, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 MARP) inhibitor or PI3K inhibitors. CCL20 promoted lung cancer cells migration and proliferation in an autocrine manner via activation of ERK1/2‐MAPK and PI3K pathways. Our data indicated that IL‐1β could stimulate CCL20 production from lung cancer cells through the activation of MAPKs and PI3K signal pathways, and the auto‐secretion of CCL20 could promote lung cancer cell migration and proliferation through the activation of ERK and PI3K signal pathways. Our results may provide a novel evidence that CCL20 could be a new therapeutic target for lung cancer.     

CCL20在脑卒中的发病机制及临床意义

CCL20(C-C chemokine ligand 20)是CC亚族的趋化因子,曾被称为巨噬细胞炎症蛋白3α(MIP-3α)、肝脏活化调节趋化因子(LARC)和Exodus-1,与其唯一受体CC趋化因子受体6(CC chemokine receptor 6,CCR6)特异性结合,调节细胞的激活、趋化和迁移,参与形态发生、组织稳态、固有和获得性免疫以及许多疾病的炎症病理过程。在中枢神经中,CCL20与CCR6结合后激活小胶质细胞,其可应激相关性蛋白,形成持续性神经毒性级联反应,从而进一步损害周围神经元和脑组织,进而引起一系列的神经功能损伤症状。目前有关CCL20在脑卒中的日益引起人们的关注,深入研究其在脑卒中的作用,有可能为进一步揭示脑卒中的发病机制并为寻求有效的防治措施提供重要的理论基础。本文概述了CCL20的作用,重点阐述了其在脑卒中的作用。     

肝癌患者血清趋化因子配体18 的检测及其意义

目的:为研究趋化因子配体18(CLL18)在肝癌患者外周血中的表达,探讨其在肝癌癌浸润、转移中的作用.方法:选取2008.1-2010.12年我科的原发性肝癌患者,均经病理或临床确诊,年龄18～70岁,如曾实施化疗,须化疗结束1个月以上而有实体瘤者或手术未能切除者.有转移组50例,其中男性25例,女性25例.无转移组50例,其中男性25例,女性25例.对照组50例,为正常健康人群50例,其中男性25例,女性25例.以ELISA法检测外周血CCL18含量.结果:有转移组患者外周血中CCL18浓度为(137.63± 35.56)pg/mL显著高于健康人(47.53± 17.22)pg/mL(P＜0.05).无转移组患者外周血中CCL18浓度为(260.27± 73.41) pg/mL显著高于健康人(P＜0.05).结论:肝癌患者血浆中的CCL18水平显著高于正常人,并能反映肝癌的进展,有助于对肝癌患者进行预后判断,具有一定的临床价值.