去除巨噬细胞对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的高血压小鼠肾脏的保护作用

目的:巨噬细胞浸润与高血压及肾损伤有密切关系,本实验观察使用脂质体氯膦酸二钠(CL)去除巨噬细胞对血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)诱导的高血压肾脏损伤的保护作用。方法:24只雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为正常对照、正常+CL组(CL 0.1 ml/10g体重,每周2次尾静脉注射)、AngⅡ组[1.4 mg/(kg·d),通过植入式胶囊渗透压泵连续灌注14d]、AngⅡ+CL组。结果:与正常组比,AngⅡ明显增加小鼠收缩压,蛋白尿,肾结构损伤和巨噬细胞浸润以及炎症细胞因子肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)的表达;在AngⅡ高血压小鼠,CL显著降低肾脏巨噬细胞浸润,改善肾脏的结构和功能损伤以及炎症因子的表达,并轻度降低血压。AngⅡ还诱导肾脏纤维化,增加纤维化因子TGF-β1,纤维连接蛋白及NADPH氧化酶gp91phox和p22phox的表达,CL治疗有效地抑制AngⅡ诱导肾脏纤维化以及上述细胞因子的表达。结论:巨噬细胞浸润在AngⅡ高血压引起的肾损伤中起重要作用,其机制可能与增加巨噬细胞在肾脏组织释放炎症细胞因子及氧化应激反应,去除巨噬细胞对其有保护作用。     

流式细胞术检测小鼠心脏组织中炎症细胞浸润的方法探讨

目的使用流式细胞技术检测心脏组织损伤后炎性细胞的浸润。方法通过皮下埋置植入式胶囊渗透压缓释泵,分别灌注生理盐水和AngⅡ1000ng/kg/min,制作小鼠高血压模型,7d后取心脏,采用HE染色、WGA和Masson染色观察AngⅡ灌注对心脏重塑的影响;流式细胞术检测心脏组织的炎性细胞浸润的变化。结果与生理盐水灌注组比,AngⅡ灌注明显引起心肌肥大和纤维化,流式细胞检测显示心肌组织中中性粒细胞、T淋巴细胞和巨噬细胞数量明显增加。结论使用流式技术可以定量检测心脏组织的炎性细胞浸润的情况。     

Toll样受体4在血管紧张素Ⅱ致高血压小鼠心脏纤维化中的作用

目的探讨Toll样受体4(TLR4)在血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)所致高血压小鼠心脏纤维化过程中的作用。方法野生型C57小鼠18只分为3组:空白对照组、AngⅡ组和TLR4阻断组,每组6只。AngⅡ组和TLR4阻断组AngⅡ微量泵灌注建立高血压模型,TLR4阻断组尾静脉注射TLR4中和抗体后,小鼠尾动脉套法测血压,心动超声图观察小鼠的心脏功能变化。免疫组织化学、Masson染色观察心脏纤维化。RT-PCR检测心肌白细胞介素1β和单核细胞趋化蛋白1 mRNA表达。结果与AngⅡ组比较,TLR4阻断组小鼠血压降低,左心室舒张末期壁厚度减少,舒缩未期左心室内径增加(P<0.05)。心肌组织半乳糖凝集素2阳性巨噬细胞浸润减少,白细胞介素1β和单核细胞趋化蛋白1 mRNA表达水平降低(P<0.05)。小鼠心肌间质和血管周围纤维化减轻(P<0.05)。结论 TLR4通过介导炎性反应参与AngⅡ所致高血压小鼠心脏纤维化过程。     

4,5,7-三羟异黄酮减轻高同型半胱氨酸血症导致的血管内皮损伤

目的明确E3泛素连接酶CHIP在血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)引起心肌纤维化过程中的作用以及分子机制。方法用10周龄野生型小鼠(WT)和CHIP心脏特异表达转基因小鼠(CHIP-TG)各16只,随机分为生理盐水+WT组、生理盐水+CHIP-TG组、AngⅡ+WT组和AngⅡ+CHIP-TG组。采用植入式胶囊渗透压泵对小鼠灌注生理盐水和AngⅡ[1500 ng/(kg.min)]1周,然后用B超仪检测动物心脏功能;心脏组织切片进行HE、Masson染色分别观察心脏组织中炎性细胞浸润和胶原沉积情况。应用免疫组织化学染色检测不同组别心脏中巨噬细胞(Mac-2阳性细胞)数量和CollagenⅠ的表达水平。另外,用siRNA-GFP和siRNA-CHIP腺病毒感染培养的胎鼠心肌细胞24 h,然后用AngⅡ(100 nmol/L)处理6 h,应用RT-PCR检测不同处理组炎症因子[如白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)和IL-6]的表达水平。结果在生理盐水处理时,WT和CHIP-TG组心脏功能、病理改变和炎性细胞浸润情况均无明显差别。AngⅡ处理7天后,与生理盐水+WT组相比,AngⅡ+WT组的心脏功能、纤维化面积和炎性细胞的浸润程度...     

自然杀伤T细胞在血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的高血压中的作用

目的:通过构建Ang Ⅱ诱导的小鼠高血压模型,研究自然杀伤T细胞(NKT)的作用。方法:在CD1d基因敲除小鼠及野生对照小鼠中,采用缓释泵持续灌注血管紧张素Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)490ng·kg~(-1)·min~(-1),14 d建立小鼠高血压模型,尾动脉无创性血压测量方法监测小鼠血压的变化;HE染色观察小鼠主动脉壁厚度的变化;Masson染色观察主动脉血管纤维化的程度;实时荧光定量PCR检测血管组织中IL-6及TNF-α的表达;流式分析检测血管壁巨噬细胞的浸润。结果:与对照组相比,Ang Ⅱ灌注14 d明显升高小鼠的收缩压、血管壁的厚度及纤维化程度、血管组织的炎症因子IL-1β及TNF-αmRNA的表达及血管组织中巨噬细胞的浸润;重要的是,CD1d基因的敲除进一步加重以上变化。结论:自然杀伤T细胞通过减轻巨噬细胞的浸润拮抗了血管紧张素Ⅱ灌注引起的血压升高。     

蛋白激酶SGK-1在高血压性心脏纤维化中的表达及影响

目的:探讨血清和糖皮质激素诱导的蛋白激酶-1(SGK1)在血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngiotensionⅡ,AngⅡ)所诱导高血压性心脏纤维化中的表达及作用。方法:40只雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为0.9%氯化钠组和AngⅡ组,每组20只。采用植入式胶囊渗透压泵对小鼠分别灌注0.9%氯化钠和AngⅡ,于第7天时采用鼠尾套法检测小鼠尾动脉血压处死并取其心脏进行组织切片,行HE染色观察心脏组织炎症细胞浸润、Masson染色观察胶原沉积、免疫组织化学染色检测巨噬细胞(Mac-2)及炎症细胞因子[诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)、白介素1β(IL-1β)、精氨酸酶1(Arg1)]和促纤维化的因子[转化生长因子β(TGF-β)、α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)]的表达;Real-time PCR检测SGK1 mRNA表达;Westernblot检测SGK1蛋白水平的表达和活化。结果:与0.9%氯化钠组相比,AngⅡ组灌注7 d时血压显著升高(P<0.01);巨噬细胞Mac2浸润增加、胶原沉积增多、促炎因子(iNOS、IL-1β、Arg1)及促纤维化因子(TGF-β、α-SMA)的表达水平均显著升高(均为P<0.05);Real-time PCR结果显示AngⅡ灌注明显上调SGK1 mRNA表达(P<0.05);Western blot结果显示AngⅡ灌注增加SGK1磷酸化水平(P<0.05)。结论:在高血压性心脏纤维化疾病进程中,炎症反应增加并且SGK1表达明显上调及活性增强,提示SGK1可能是高血压导致心脏纤维化的关键信号分子,并且SGK1可能通过调节炎症反应促进心脏纤维化的进展。     

炎症小体Nlrp3在高血压小鼠心肌纤维化中的作用

目的:研究NOD样受体热蛋白结构域3(Nlrp3)炎症小体在高血压导致心脏纤维化重构中的作用与影响。方法:18只雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为对照组(n=8)灌注0.9%氯化钠溶液,和血管紧张素(Ang II)组(n=10)灌注Ang II,采用鼠尾套管法测量小鼠血压。于灌注第7天后处死小鼠,收取心脏组织进行切片,采用免疫组织化学、H-E与Masson染色观测心脏炎症浸润与纤维化重构、使用q PCR检测炎症因子和nlrp3炎症小体表达与活化。结果:与对照组小鼠相比较,Ang II组小鼠在灌注后血压从第1天起持续升高,并持续到第7天。炎症因子白介素(IL)-1β、IL-6、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α以及诱导型一氧化氮合酶(i NOS)表达增加,巨噬细胞浸润增加,炎症小体表达增多,心脏中的间质胶原沉积增加,肌成纤维细胞标志α-SMA表达增加;与对照组相比,体外使用Ang II刺激巨噬细胞后,IL-1β表达升高,炎症小体nlrp3表达增加,给与P2X7受体(可以激活炎症小体nlrp3)抑制剂PPADS后,IL-1β与nlrp3转录水平表达降低。结论:高血压可能通过促进巨噬细胞内炎症小体nlrp3的表达,引起IL-1β的释放增多,促进心脏组织中巨噬细胞浸润,导致心脏组织损伤和纤维化加重。     

脂联素在高血压致炎症和心肌纤维化中的作用

目的探讨脂联素在高血压致炎症和心肌纤维化中的作用。方法选取纯合脂联素敲除鼠12只(APN-/-)和野生型小鼠(WT)12只,采用微量泵持续灌注血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)[1500 ng/(kg·min),7天]建立高血压模型,对照组给予乙酸溶液微量泵灌注,连续灌注7天,实验随机分成4组,每组6只:野生型小鼠对照组(WT),野生型小鼠+血管紧张素Ⅱ组(WT+AngⅡ),APN-/-对照组(APN-/-),APN-/-+血管紧张素Ⅱ组(APN-/-+AngⅡ),采用小鼠无创血压计测定小鼠尾动脉血压,运用ELISA法检测血清中s ICAM-1、s VCAM-1、v WF的含量,心肌组织Masson染色观察心脏纤维化,α-SMA免疫组化法观察肌成纤维细胞的形成,HE染色观察炎症细胞浸润,Western blot法测定TGF-β、TNF-α蛋白表达。结果与WT组相比,WT+AngⅡ组第二天血压开始升高,连续监测7天,血压均明显升高(P0.05),造模成功。与WT+AngⅡ组相比,APN-/-+AngⅡ组血压显著升高(P0.05),炎症细胞浸润明显增多(P0.05),s ICAM-1、s VCAM-1、v WF含量明显增加,TGF-β、TNF-α表达显著上调,α-SMA+肌成纤维细胞数量增多(P0.05)。结论在高血压致心脏纤维化过程中,脂联素可能有保护血管内皮损伤,抑制炎症反应,进而抑制心脏纤维化。     

自噬相关基因 5 下调抑制血管紧张素Ⅱ介导的巨噬细胞凋亡

目的探讨自噬相关基因5（autophagy-relatedgene5,Atg5）在血管紧张素Ⅱ（angiotensionⅡ,AngⅡ）诱导高血压心脏损伤中对巨噬细胞凋亡的影响。方法40只雄性C57BL/6小鼠及10只Atg^5＋/-分为对照组,AngⅡ灌泵1d组,AngⅡ灌泵3d组,AngⅡ灌泵7d组和Atg^5＋/-灌泵组,每组10只。给予乙酸溶液（对照组）及AngⅡ（1500ng/kg＊min）微量泵灌注。TUNEL染色观察心脏中细胞凋亡,免疫荧光共染明确凋亡细胞类型;qPCR检测Atg^5＋/-小鼠心脏中Atg5表达;TUNEL染色观察心脏中细胞凋亡,QuantiGenePlex（QGP）检测凋亡因子表达;体外Ang1I刺激wT和Atg^5＋/-骨髓巨噬细胞,免疫荧光共染,检测巨噬细胞凋亡。结果wT小鼠心脏于AngⅡ灌注1-7d后,TUNEL染色阳性细胞数显著增加,荧光共染显示凋亡细胞为巨噬细胞;Atg^5＋/-小鼠心脏中Atg5表达量较WT小鼠心脏降低53％;AngⅡ灌注7d后,与WT鼠相比,Atg^5＋/-小鼠心脏TUNEL染色阳性细胞数降低,促凋亡因子Caspase3、Caspase8、Caspase12表达降低。体外AngII刺激下,Atg^5＋/-骨髓巨噬细胞较W骨髓巨噬细胞凋亡减少。结论在AngⅡ致高血压心脏损伤中,Atg5下调可导致心脏中巨噬细胞凋亡下降。     

Toll样受体2在血管紧张素Ⅱ致高血压小鼠心肌纤维化中的作用

目的探讨Toll样受体(TLR)2在血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)所致高血压小鼠心肌纤维化过程中的作用。方法选择SPF级雄性野生型C57小鼠18只,随机分为对照组、AngⅡ组和TLR2阻断组,每组6只。AngⅡ组和TLR2阻断组采用皮下微量泵持续灌注AngⅡ7d建立高血压模型,小鼠尾动脉套法测血压。TLR2阻断组尾静脉注射TLR2中和抗体后,Masson染色、免疫组织化学染色观察心肌纤维化。结果与对照组比较,AngⅡ组小鼠心肌纤维化明显升高,心肌间质有大量胶原纤维,Ⅰ型胶原蛋白和转化生长因子β蛋白表达显著升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与AngⅡ组比较,TLR2阻断组小鼠心肌间质纤维化面积减少71.2%,Ⅰ型胶原蛋白表达减少75.5%,转化生长因子β蛋白表达下降77.7%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 TLR2参与AngⅡ所致高血压小鼠心脏纤维化过程。     

A CCR2/CCR5 Antagonist Attenuates an Increase in Angiotensin II-Induced CD11b+ Monocytes from Atherogenic ApoE?/? Mice

Objective

Monocyte infiltration into the vessel wall, a process primarily mediated by the interaction between monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and its receptor, CCR2, is a key step in atherogenesis. Angiotensin II (Ang II) enhances this monocyte infiltration by increasing the endothelial binding integrin, CD11b. However, the modulation of the Ang II-induced CD11b expression in monocytes in not clear. The aim of this study was to determine if MCP-1/MCP-2 receptor (CCR2) interaction regulates monocyte CD11b expression after 7 days of Ang II infusion.

Methods and results

In ApoE^?/? mice continuous subcutaneous infusion of Ang II (0.75 mg/kg/day) for 7 days significantly increased CD11b expression in circulating monocytes as measured by flow cytometry. CD11b expression in ApoE^?/? was increased from 135?±?9 to 176?±?12 mean fluorescent intensity (MFI), control and Ang II-treated, respectively while in C57B/J wildtype mice CD11b increased from 128?±?13 to 174?±?8 MFI, control and Ang II-treated, respectively. Interestingly, co-infusion of either MCP-1 neutralizing antibody (25 μg/kg/day) or a CCR2 antagonist (500 μg/kg/day) with Ang II for 7 days effectively inhibited monocyte CD11b expression and this inhibition was accompanied by a down-regulated vascular infiltration of Mac-2 positive monocyte-derived macrophages.

Conclusion

Our data in the atherogenic ApoE^?/? mouse demonstrates that the Ang II induced increase in both monocytic CD11b integrin expression and monocyte vascular infiltration occurs early in atherogenesis. These Ang II-induced monocytic changes are in part regulated through the MCP-1/CCR2 interaction.     

Role of inflammation in the development of renal damage and dysfunction in angiotensin II-induced hypertension

Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension is associated with an inflammatory response that may contribute to the development of target organ damage. We tested the hypothesis that, in Ang II-induced hypertension, CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) activation plays an important role in the development of renal fibrosis, damage, and dysfunction by causing oxidative stress, macrophage infiltration, and cell proliferation. To test this hypothesis, we used CCR2 knockout mice (CCR2-/-). The natural ligand of CCR2 is monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, a chemokine important for macrophage recruitment and activation. CCR2-/- and age-matched wild-type (CCR2+/+) C57BL/6J mice were infused continuously with either Ang II (5.2 ng/10 g per minute) or vehicle via osmotic minipumps for 2 or 4 weeks. Ang II infusion caused similar increases in systolic blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy in both strains of mice. However, in CCR2-/- mice with Ang II-induced hypertension, oxidative stress, macrophage infiltration, albuminuria, and renal damage were significantly decreased, and glomerular filtration rate was significantly higher than in CCR2+/+ mice. We concluded that, in Ang II-induced hypertension, CCR2 activation plays an important role in the development of hypertensive nephropathy via increased oxidative stress and inflammation.     

巨噬细胞对血管紧张素Ⅱ作用下三维共培养体系中心脏成纤维细胞转分化的影响

目的:探讨血管紧张素Ⅱ(angiotensionⅡ,AngⅡ)作用下,细胞三维共培养体系中巨噬细胞对心脏成纤维细胞(cardiac fibroblasts,CFs)表型转化的影响。为观察细胞之间的相互作用,探讨高血压导致心脏纤维化的分子机制及防治策略提供了新思路。方法:分离、培养原代小鼠骨髓巨噬细胞及乳鼠CFs,建立巨噬细胞和CFs多肽纳米凝胶三维共培养体系。实验分为CFs组,巨噬细胞与CFs共培养组,CFs+AngⅡ处理组,巨噬细胞与CFs共培养+AngⅡ处理组。通过免疫荧光染色鉴定培养的巨噬细胞(巨噬细胞标志物F4/80)及成纤维细胞(波形蛋白Vimentin);采用倒置相差显微镜观察三维培养细胞形态;免疫荧光染色检测α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)表达;实时定量PCR检测α-SMA、Ⅰ型胶原(CollagenⅠ)及促纤维化因子[转化生长因子β(TGF-β)、结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)]的表达。结果:在无AngⅡ作用下,巨噬细胞与CFs共培养组与单独培养的CFs组比较,α-SMA mRNA和蛋白表达,并且CollagenⅠ、TGF-β和CTGF mRNA的水平差异无统计学意义。巨噬细胞与CFs共培养组经AngⅡ处理后,可明显诱导α-SMA mRNA和蛋白高表达,并且上调CollagenⅠ、TGF-β和CTGF mRNA的水平。结论:在AngⅡ作用下,三维培养体系中巨噬细胞可促进CFs向肌成纤维细胞表型转化,提示巨噬细胞在AngⅡ导致心脏纤维化的病理过程中发挥关键作用。     

Carboxyl Terminus of Heat Shock Protein 70-Interacting Protein Inhibits Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiac Remodeling

BackgroundThe carboxyl terminus of heat shock protein 70-interacting protein (CHIP), an E3 ligase/chaperone, was found to protect cardiomyocytes against apoptosis induced by ischemic injury; however, the functional role of CHIP in remodeling induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) remains unclear.MethodsWe generated CHIP-overexpressed transgenic (TG) mice infused with Ang II (1,500 ng/kg/min) or saline for days or small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Heart sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome, TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and immunohistochemistry, and the levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) were measured by western blot analysis.ResultsSeven days after Ang II infusion, cardiac-specific overexpression of CHIP significantly enhanced cardiac contractile performance in mice and attenuated cardiac apoptosis, fibrosis, and inflammation: the number of TUNEL-positive cells, fibrotic areas, macrophage infiltration, and the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in heart tissues were decreased as compared with wild-type (WT) mice (all P < 0.05). In contrast, CHIP siRNA knockdown markedly increased Ang II-induced apoptosis and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, as compared with siRNA control. The mechanisms underlying these beneficial actions were associated with CHIP-mediated inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK (p38 and JNK) pathways.ConclusionsCHIP plays an important role in regulating Ang II-triggered hypertensive cardiac apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis.American Journal of Hypertension 2012; doi:10.1038/ajh.2012.74.     

巨噬细胞对单侧输尿管结扎小鼠肾纤维化的影响

目的检测不同亚型巨噬细胞在单侧输尿管结扎(UUO)模型小鼠肾组织中的表达及其对肾纤维化的影响。方法雄性C57/BL小鼠39只,完全随机分为4组:假手术组(sham,行单侧输尿管分离术,n=9)、模型-3d组(UUO-3d,行单侧输尿管结扎术,n=10)、模型-7d组(UUO-7d,n=10)、模型-14d组(UUO-14d,n=10)。分别于UUO术后3、7、14 d收取小鼠肾脏。病理染色观察假手术组及3个模型组小鼠肾间质纤维化及炎性细胞浸润变化。免疫荧光观察假手术组及3个模型组小鼠肾间质巨噬细胞浸润程度。流式细胞术检测肾脏巨噬细胞亚群(CD86和CD206)的比例变化。采用SPSS 20.0统计软件对数据进行分析。组间比较采用完全随机设计的单因素方差分析及SNK-q检验。结果假手术组小鼠肾小管结构完整,肾间质清晰无炎性细胞浸润,无胶原蛋白沉积,巨噬细胞浸润数量少。与假手术组相比,模型组-3d、模型组-7d、模型组-14d小鼠肾间质胶原蛋白沉积面积[(7.8±1.5)%vs(14.1±2.7)%,(27.4±3.1)%,(39.3±2.7)%]及炎性细胞浸润[(169±16)vs(1 068±164),(2 159±432),(3 536±318)]均增加(P0.05)。随着UUO时间延长,巨噬细胞浸润显著增多[(20.8±2.7)%,(31.1±1.3)%,(49.5±2.1)%,(69.6±1.8)%;P0.05],M2型巨噬细胞标志物(CD206)表达增高[(3.2±1.9)%,(34.1±2.1)%,(52.6±1.6)%,(76.7±2.3)%;P0.05],而各组M1型巨噬细胞标志物(CD86)表达无明显差异[(76.4±3.6)%,(81.8±2.8)%,(80.6±4.4)%,(85.5±2.6)%;P0.05]。结论在肾纤维化发展过程中,M2型巨噬细胞浸润增加可能促进单侧输尿管结扎小鼠肾纤维化。     

Hepatic macrophage migration and differentiation critical for liver fibrosis is mediated by the chemokine receptor C-C motif chemokine receptor 8 in mice

Chemokines critically control the infiltration of immune cells upon liver injury, thereby promoting hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. The chemokine receptor CCR8 can affect trafficking of monocytes/macrophages, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and T-helper cell (Th) subsets, but its role in liver diseases is currently unknown. To investigate the functional role of CCR8 in liver diseases, ccr8(-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to chronic experimental injury models of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4) ) administration and surgical bile duct ligation (BDL). CCR8 was strongly up-regulated in the injured liver. Ccr8(-/-) mice displayed attenuated liver damage (e.g., ALT, histology, and TUNEL) compared to WT mice and were also protected from liver fibrosis in two independent injury models. Flow cytometry revealed reduced infiltrates of liver macrophages, neutrophils and natural killer cells, whereas hepatic CD4(+) T cells increased. The main CCR8-expressing cells in the liver were hepatic macrophages, and CCR8 was functionally necessary for CCL1-directed migration of inflammatory but not for nonclassical monocytes into the liver. Moreover, the phenotype of liver macrophages from injured ccr8(-/-) animals was altered with increased expression of DC markers and enhanced expression of T-cell-attracting chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha (MIP-1α/CCL3). Correspondingly, hepatic CD4(+) T cells showed increased Th1 polarization and reduced Th2 cells in CCR8-deficient animals. Liver fibrosis progression, but also subsequent T-cell alterations, could be restored by adoptively transferring CCR8-expressing monocytes/macrophages into ccr8(-/-) mice during experimental injury. CONCLUSIONS: CCR8 critically mediates hepatic macrophage recruitment upon injury, which subsequently shapes the inflammatory response in the injured liver, affecting macrophage/DC and Th differentiation. CCR8 deficiency protects the liver against injury, ameliorating initial inflammatory responses and hepatic fibrogenesis. Inhibition of CCR8 or its ligand, CCL1, might represent a successful therapeutic target to limit liver inflammation and fibrosis progression.     

血管紧张素Ⅱ对人单核细胞CD40信号系统的作用研究

目的：以体外培养的单核细胞系为研究对象,从细胞水平探讨血管紧张素Ⅱ对CD40信号系统的影响。方法：用1640培养液进行单核细胞的培养,并用佛波醇肉豆蔻乙酸酯（PMA）诱导其分化为巨噬细胞。将培养的细胞置于不同浓度的血管紧张素Ⅱ（10-10~10-5mol/L）及拮抗剂氯沙坦、PD123319中培养24 h,用实时聚合酶链反应（PCR）的技术检测细胞CD40mRNA的变化;同时酶联免疫法测定细胞上清分泌的CD40蛋白水平。结果：给予PMA（50ng/ml）刺激4 h后,单核细胞贴壁分化为巨噬细胞,与不同浓度血管紧张素Ⅱ（10-10~10-5mol/L）共培养24 h后,与对照组相比较,血管紧张素Ⅱ的10-6mol/L组与10-5mol/L组CD40 mRNA的表达均明显增加（P均〈0.05）;受体AT1拮抗剂氯沙坦（25μg/ml）抑制了CD40 mRNA的表达,另一受体AT2拮抗剂PD123319（25μg/ml）显示了明显的相反作用（P〈0.05）。含单核细胞分化成的巨噬细胞上清液中CD40蛋白水平在血管紧张素Ⅱ及其受体拮抗剂的刺激下显示与CD40 mRNA水平一致的结果。结论：血管紧张素Ⅱ对于单核细胞转化生成的巨噬细胞CD40-CD40L系统的表达具有上调作用。血管紧张素Ⅱ两种受体拮抗剂对CD40系统的作用不同,提示肾素-血管紧张素系统与CD40信号系统之间具有一定相互作用。     

Addition of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker to CCR2 antagonist markedly attenuates crescentic glomerulonephritis

The monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)/CC-chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) pathway plays a critical role in the development of antiglomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) nephritis. We recently showed angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion in rats activated MCP-1 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which in turn induced macrophage infiltration of renal tissues. This study was performed to demonstrate that combination therapy with a CCR2 antagonist (CA) and an Ang II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) ameliorated renal injury in the anti-GBM nephritis model. An anti-GBM nephritis rat model developed progressive proteinuria and glomerular crescent formation, accompanied by increased macrophage infiltration and glomerular expression of MCP-1, angiotensinogen, Ang II, and TGF-β1. Treatment with CA alone or ARB alone moderately ameliorated kidney injury; however, the combination treatment with CA and ARB dramatically prevented proteinuria and markedly reduced glomerular crescent formation. The combination treatment also suppressed the induction of macrophage infiltration, MCP-1, angiotensinogen, Ang II, and TGF-β1 and reversed the fibrotic change in the glomeruli. Next, primary cultured glomerular mesangial cells (MCs) stimulated by Ang II showed significant increases in MCP-1 and TGF-β1 expression. Furthermore, cocultured model consisting of MCs, parietal epithelial cells, and macrophages showed an increase in Ang II-induced cell proliferation and collagen secretion. ARB treatment attenuated these augmentations. These data suggest that Ang II enhances glomerular crescent formation of anti-GBM nephritis. Moreover, our results demonstrate that inhibition of the MCP-1/CCR2 pathway with a combination of ARB effectively reduces renal injury in anti-GBM nephritis.