慢性乙肝患者ELR~- CXC趋化因子及其受体表达

趋化因子是一类结构功能相似、具有趋化吸引和活化作用的碱基肝素结合性的小分子蛋白质,依据其分子N端的Cys的排列顺序可分为CXC、CC、C和CX3C四个亚家族(C为半胱氨酸,X为任意氨基酸).根据CXC家族趋化因子结构功能区第一个半胱氨酸前是否有谷氨酸-亮氨酸-精氨酸(Glu-Leu-Arg)即ELR结构,将CXC趋化因子进一步分为ELR+CXC和ELR-CXC两个亚族.趋化因子受体是在中性粒细胞、巨噬细胞等炎症细胞和上皮细胞、成纤维细胞等结构细胞表面表达的具有七次跨膜域的受体,属G蛋白偶联受体(G protein-coupled receptors,GPCR)超家族成员,与ELR-CXC趋化因子结合的受体主要有CXCR3、CXCR4、CXCR5、CXCR7.     

ITAC介导的T细胞跨血管内皮迁移及其后续事件

ITAC是ELR基序阴性的CXC亚家族趋化因子,ITAC通过趋化并活化表达CXCR3的细胞发挥免疫调节作用,并能介导T细胞跨血管内皮迁移,从而在局部组织浸润。ITAC与Thl型炎症疾病、自身免疫病、移植排斥及肿瘤的发生和发展相关。ITAC有望成为治疗这类疾病的靶分子。     

CXCR1/CXCR2拮抗剂G31P抗中性粒细胞介导的炎症作用研究

目的 建立肺炎动物模型,使用人CXCR1/CXCR2受体拈抗剂G31P,治疗与中性粒细胞相关的炎性疾病.方法 检测G31P能否阻断人IL-8对中性粒细胞趋化以及阻断支气管上皮细胞A549释放IL-8;建立pcDNA3.0-CXCR1、2、4转染的肾细胞HEK293,检测G31P阻断IL-8对细胞株的趋化作用;建立肺炎动物模型,计数肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中性粒细胞数,进行肺组织病理学观察.结果 实验证实G31P可以阻断中性粒细胞趋化和IL-8介导的CXCR1、CXCR2转染的HEK293细胞株的趋化作用,抑制A549释放炎性介质;G31P治疗组中性粒细胞比例下降,病理检测有明显差异.结论 G31P可以阻断ELR+CXC趋化因子对中性粒细胞的趋化作用,阻断ELR+CXC趋化因子与中性粒细胞表面受体CXCR2的结合,阻断肺泡上皮细胞和血管内皮细胞表面的CXCR2,从而进一步阻止中性粒细胞介导的炎症反应.     

CXCL16/CXCR6与炎症性疾病

多种临床疾病(包括肿瘤的发生)与炎症相关,因而趋化因子及其受体愈来愈受到广泛关注.近年有研究发现:人CXC型趋化因子配体16(CXC chemokine ligand 16,CXCL16)及其受体CXC型趋化因子受体6 (CXC chemokine receptor 6,CXCR6)在肾炎、肺部疾患、动脉粥样硬化、冠状动脉疾病、类风湿性关节炎等多种炎症性病变组织中表达;并且,在前列腺癌、结肠癌、乳腺癌等炎症相关肿瘤的肿瘤细胞或浸润性淋巴细胞上也有表达.CXCL16通过CXCR6介导免疫细胞向病变组织趋化,影响疾病转归,甚至参与肿瘤细胞增殖或血管生成.对CXCL16/CXCR6的深入研究,将为炎症性疾病的诊断和炎症相关肿瘤的预后提供参考.     

γ-干扰素诱导蛋白10与风湿性疾病关系的研究进展

γ-干扰素诱导蛋白10(IP-10)是CXC类趋化因子之一,CXCR3是其唯一受体.研究表明:IP-10具有重要的生物学功能,参与多种疾病的发生,与多种风湿性疾病关系密切,主要介导Th1型炎症反应,还可抑制新生血管形成.另外,测定IP-10水平也可对某些风湿性疾病进行活动度评价、预后判断以及治疗决策指导.     

ELR+ CXC趋化因子诱导NETs生成的作用机制

目的探讨ELR~+ CXC趋化因子诱导中性粒细胞胞外诱捕网(neutrophil extracellular traps,NETs)生成的作用及机制。方法分离人外周血中性粒细胞,通过荧光染色和总MPO定量检测比较ELR~+ CXC趋化因子、ELR-CXC趋化因子和非趋化性细胞因子对NETs的诱导作用。以CXCL8为代表性ELR~+ CXC趋化因子,检测其诱导NETs的时效、量效关系,明确参与NETs生成的酶类成分,胞膜受体以及胞内信号分子机制。检测CXCL8对中性粒细胞ROS的上调效应及其在介导NETs生成中的作用。结果仅有ELR~+ CXC趋化因子可刺激NETs释放(P0.05或0.01)。其代表性因子CXCL8诱导NETs具有时间和剂量依赖性。抑制MPO、NE和PAD4活化,或者抑制CXCR1受体内化以及胞内ERK和p38的磷酸化,均可显著下调CXCL8诱导的NETs生成(P0.01)。CXCL8还通过上调NOX2并增加胞内ROS水平介导NETs生成。结论 ELR~+ CXC趋化因子可诱导NETs生成,该作用与其结合CXCR1,激活ERK和p38,诱导NOX2活化和上调ROS生成有关。     

CXCL10在Graves’病发病中的作用

CXC趋化因子配体-10（CXCL10）属于CXC家族的非ELR亚组趋化因子, 参与多种疾病的发生,主要介导Th1型炎症反应,趋化单核细胞和T细胞,与变态免疫发生、自身免疫性疾病等有关。CXCL10与Graves’病之间关系的研究将为深入探讨Graves’病的发病机制及诊断治疗提供新的思路。     

移植物抗宿主病小鼠肝脏及异体CD8+ T细胞趋化因子和趋化因子受体表达分析

为探讨趋化因子及其受体介导的效应性细胞迁移在移植物抗宿主病(graft-versus-host disease,GVHD)发生发展中的重要作用,采用次要组织相容性抗原异配的GVHD小鼠模型,应用流式细胞分选术(FACS)、实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应等方法,分析GVHD靶器官和异体CD8+T细胞趋化因子及受体的表达。肝脏高表达干扰素诱导蛋白-10(IP-10)、干扰素诱导的T细胞趋化因子(ITAC)、γ干扰素诱生单核因子(MIG)、巨噬细胞炎症蛋白(MIP)-1α/β等趋化因子。异体CD8+T细胞上则高表达CXC趋化因子受体(CXCR)3和CC趋化因子受体(CCR)5。随着肝脏趋化因子的表达增加,异体CD8+T细胞迁移浸润的数量也增高。因而趋化因子及异体CD8+T细胞上趋化因子受体的特异对应关系,促使大量异体CD8+T细胞迁移浸润并造成肝脏损伤。     

趋化因子在HBV感染发病中的作用

乙型肝炎是一种以局部炎性为主的感染性疾病,乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染宿主细胞后可诱导宿主细胞中趋化因子分泌及其受体表达,趋化因子/受体的相互作用进一步介导中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞等向炎症部位聚集,参与组织损伤;同时诱导T、B 细胞分化成熟,对乙型肝炎的发展与转归、肝组织的损伤与修复有重要影响.HBV引发的慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)以Th1细胞性炎性反应为主,研究表明乙型肝炎中某些趋化因子在肝脏高表达,其受体CXCR3和CCR5在Th1细胞高表达.趋化因子尤其是CXC和CC亚家族趋化因子在趋化Th1细胞中发挥重要的作用.     

CXCR3-CXCL9 / 10 / 11 参与疾病发病机制的研究进展

目前研究认为趋化因子与靶细胞表面的受体结合可趋化免疫细胞至相应部位参与感染、炎症、自身免疫性疾病、肿瘤、血管形成等病理生理过程,此外,趋化因子受体的表达影响着免疫细胞的功能,趋化因子也可直接参与抗细菌、抗真菌等众多病理过程。CXC型趋化因子受体CXCR3是现各领域研究热点,它是干扰素诱导单核因子(Mig)、干扰素诱导蛋白10 (IP-10)和干扰素诱导T细胞α化学趋化因子(I-TAC)的特异性受体。本文将综述CXCR3-CXCL9/10/11在多种疾病发病机制中的作用。     

CXC chemokines in angiogenesis

A variety of factors have been identified that regulate angiogenesis, including the CXC chemokine family. The CXC chemokines are a unique family of cytokines for their ability to behave in a disparate manner in the regulation of angiogenesis. CXC chemokines have four highly conserved cysteine amino acid residues, with the first two cysteine amino acid residues separated by one non-conserved amino acid residue (i.e., CXC). A second structural domain within this family determines their angiogenic potential. The NH2 terminus of the majority of the CXC chemokines contains three amino acid residues (Glu-Leu-Arg: the ELR motif), which precedes the first cysteine amino acid residue of the primary structure of these cytokines. Members that contain the ELR motif (ELR+) are potent promoters of angiogenesis. In contrast, members that are inducible by interferons and lack the ELR motif (ELR-) are potent inhibitors of angiogenesis. This difference in angiogenic activity may impact on the pathogenesis of a variety of disorders.     

Exercise induces interleukin-8 receptor (CXCR2) expression in human skeletal muscle

Exercise induces a marked increase in interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA and protein expression within skeletal muscle fibres. Interleukin-8 belongs to a subfamily of CXC chemokines containing a Glu-Leu-Arg (ELR) motif. CXC chemokines with ELR motifs are potent angiogenic factors in vivo, and IL-8 has been shown to act as an angiogenic factor in human microvascular endothelial cells by binding to the CXC receptor 2 (CXCR2). In the present study, we examined the expression of the interleukin-8 receptor CXCR2 in human skeletal muscle biopsies after concentric exercise. Healthy volunteers were randomized to either 3 h of cycle ergometer exercise at 60% of maximum oxygen uptake (n = 8) or rest (n = 7). Muscle biopsy samples were obtained from the vastus lateralis before exercise (0 h), immediately after exercise (3 h), and at 4.5, 6, 9 and 24 h. Skeletal muscle CXCR2 mRNA increased significantly in response to exercise (3 and 4.5 h) when compared with pre-exercise samples. Expression of the CXCR2 protein was low in skeletal muscle biopsies before exercise and at the end of the exercise period (3 h). However, at 4.5-9 h, an increase in CXCR2 protein was seen in the vascular endothelium, and also slightly within the muscle fibres, as determined by immunohistochemistry. The present study demonstrates that concentric exercise induces CXCR2 mRNA and protein expression in the vascular endothelial cells of the muscle fibres. These findings suggest that muscle-derived IL-8 may act locally to stimulate angiogenesis through CXCR2 receptor signalling.     

CXC chemokine receptor CXCR2 is essential for protective innate host response in murine Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia

Pulmonary infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa has emerged as a leading cause of mortality. A vigorous host response is required to effectively clear the organisms from the lungs. This host defense is dependent on the recruitment and activation of neutrophils and macrophages. A family of chemotactic cytokines (chemokines) has been shown to participate in this protective response. In this study, we assessed the role of the ELR(+) (glutamic acid-leucine-arginine motif positive) CXC chemokines and their CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR2) in lung antibacterial host defense. The intratracheal administration of Pseudomonas to mice resulted in the time-dependent influx of neutrophils to the lung, peaking at 12 to 24 h after inoculation. The influx of neutrophils was associated with a similar time-dependent expression of the ELR(+) CXC chemokines, KC, macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), and lipopolysaccharide-induced CXC chemokine (LIX). Selective neutralization of MIP-2 or KC resulted in modest changes in neutrophil influx but no change in bacterial clearance or survival. However, neutralization of CXCR2 resulted in a striking increase in mortality, which was associated with a marked decrease in neutrophil recruitment and bacterial clearance. Conversely, the site-specific transgenic expression of KC resulted in enhanced clearance of bacteria after Pseudomonas challenge. This study indicates that ELR(+) CXC chemokines are critical mediators of neutrophil-mediated host defense in Pseudomonas pneumonia.     

Potential role for Duffy antigen chemokine-binding protein in angiogenesis and maintenance of homeostasis in response to stress.

CXC chemokines, which induce angiogenesis, have glutamine-leucine-arginine amino acid residues (ELR motif) in the amino terminus and bind CXCR2 and the Duffy antigen chemokine-binding protein. Duffy, a seven transmembrane protein that binds CXC and CC chemokines, has not been shown to couple to trimeric G proteins or to transduce intracellular signals, although it is highly expressed on red blood cells, endothelial cells undergoing neovascularization, and neuronal cells. The binding of chemokines by Duffy could modulate chemokine responses positively or negatively. Positive regulation could come through the presentation of chemokine to functional receptors, and negative regulation could come through Duffy competition with functional chemokine receptors for chemokine binding, thus serving as a decoy receptor. To determine whether Duffy has a role in angiogenesis and/or maintenance of homeostasis, we developed transgenic mice expressing mDuffy under the control of the preproendothelin promoter/enhancer (PPEP), which directs expression of the transgene to the endothelium. Two PPEP-mDuffy-transgenic founders were identified, and expression of the transgene in the endothelium was verified by Northern blot, RT-PCR, and immunostaining of tissues. The phenotype of the mice carrying the transgene appeared normal by all visual parameters. However, careful comparison of transgenic and nontransgenic mice revealed two phenotypic differences: mDuffy-transgenic mice exhibited a diminished angiogenic response to MIP-2 in the corneal micropocket assay, and mDuffy-transgenic mice exhibited enhanced hepatocellular toxicity and necrosis as compared with nontransgenic littermates in response to overdose of acetaminophen (APAP; 400 mg/kg body weight). Morover, APAP treatment was lethal in 50% of the mDuffy-transgenic mice 24 h post challenge, and 100% of the nontransgenic littermates survived this treatment at the 24 h time point. Our data suggest that enhanced expression of mDuffy on endothelial cells can lead to impaired angiogenic response to chemokines and impaired maintenance of homeostasis in response to toxic stresses.     

Granulocyte chemotactic protein 2 acts via both IL- 8 receptors,CXCR1 and CXCR2

Interleukin-8 (IL-γ) acts on human neutrophils via two receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2. It shares CXCR2 with all neutrophil-activating chemokines, which like IL-8 have a conserved Glu-Leu-Arg (ELR) N-terminal motif, but is generally considered to be the only relevant agonist for CXCR1. IL-8 has a basic residue at the sixth position after the second cysteine, which was suggested to contribute to CXCR1 specificity. Among the other ELR chemokines, only granulocyte chemotactic protein 2 (GCP-2) has such a basic determinant. Using Jurkat cells that stably express either CXCR1 or CXCR2, we studied receptor activation by IL-8, GCP-2 epithelial neutrophil-activating protein 2 (ENA-78) (which shares 77 % identical amino acids with GCP-2) and growth-regulated oncogene α (GROα). At 10 nM and higher concentrations, GCP-2 and IL-8 induced significant activation of CXCR1-expressing cells, but no activity was found with GROα and ENA-78. As expected, however, all four chemokines had similar activities on CXCR2-expressing cells. A variant of GCP-2 in which the basic residue, Arg20, was replaced by a glycine was synthesized. This derivative was ineffective on CXCR1, but was as active as wild-type GCP-2 in CXCR2-expressing cells. GCP-2 displaced radiolabeled IL-8 from both receptors with low affinity, and in this respect resembled ENA-78 and GROα. Our data show that GCP-2 acts via both IL-8 receptors and thus appears to be functionally more similar to IL-8 than to the other ELR chemokines. Activation of CXCR1 appears to depend significantly on the presence of a basic binding determinant close to the second cysteine.     

CsCXCe1: A novel Cynoglossus semilaevis CXC chemokine that functions as a chemoattractant and an immunomodulator for peripheral blood leukocytes

Chemokines are small cytokines that, based on their structural differences, are classified into four groups, one of which is called CXC chemokines. In this study, we identified a CXC chemokine, CsCXCe1, from half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) and analyzed its function. The deduced amino acid sequence of CsCXCe1 contains 115 residues and is phylogenetically distinct from known CXC chemokines. CsCXCe1 possesses the conserved RCXC motif in the form of RCWC but lacks the ELR sequence that is found in some CXC chemokines. Expression of CsCXCe1 as determined by quantitative real time RT-PCR occurred abundantly in immune organs and was upregulated by bacterial and viral infection in time dependent manners. Purified recombinant CsCXCe1 (rCsCXCe1) exhibited comparable chemotactic activities against tongue sole and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). Microscopic analysis identified lymphocytes as the major cellular population in PBL that responds to rCsCXCe1. Mutational study showed that when the two cysteine residues in the RCWC motif of CsCXCe1 were substituted by serine, the chemoattractive activity of CsCXCe1 was completely lost. Further study showed that treatment of PBL with rCsCXCe1 (i) stimulated cellular proliferation and respiratory burst activity, (ii) upregulated the expression of a wide spectrum of immune relevant genes, and (iii) enhanced cellular resistance against bacterial infection. Taken together, these results indicate that CsCXCe1 is likely a new type of CXC chemokine that exerts chemotactic and immunostimulatory effects on PBL.     

Functional expression of chemokine receptor CXCR4 on human epithelial cells

Chemokines and their receptors play an important role in the process of leucocyte recruitment at sites of inflammation. However, recent evidence suggests that these proteins can also regulate non-leucocyte cell functions such as angiogenesis, migration and proliferation. We have investigated the expression of the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) on primary cultures of type II alveolar epithelial cells, their transformed counterpart, the A549 cell line and also on other epithelial cell lines from various tissues. We found that all epithelial cell types tested express mRNA for CXCR4. Flow cytometric analysis and immunocytochemical staining shows that CXCR4 chemokine receptor is abundantly expressed on the surface of A549 epithelial cells. Furthermore, A549 cells responded to the CXCR4 ligand, stromal-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) with a rapid and robust calcium mobilization and not to other CXC chemokines, suggesting that CXCR4 is functionally active and is able to couple to G-protein signalling mechanisms. A549 cells did not proliferate in response to either SDF-1alpha or interleukin-8 (IL-8) CXC chemokines. These findings may have important implications for epithelial physiology and pathology.     

Differential immobilization and hierarchical involvement of chemokines in monocyte arrest and transmigration on inflamed endothelium in shear flow

Monocyte extravasation into areas of inflammation involves sequential interactions of multiple adhesion molecules. However, differential contribution of chemokines produced by cytokine-stimulated endothelium and their receptors to leukocyte attachment and transmigration under flow conditions remains to be elucidated. The activation of endothelial cells with TNF-alpha up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of the CXC chemokine GRO-alpha and the CC chemokine monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, which act through the receptors CXCR2 and CCR2 expressed on monocytes, respectively. Whereas GRO-alpha was immobilized to endothelial cells via heparan sulfate proteoglycans, MCP-1 was secreted in a soluble form. Consequently, inhibition experiments with blocking peptide analogues and monoclonal antibodies revealed that GRO-alpha and its receptor CXCR2 but not MCP-1 and its receptors substantially contributed to conversion of rolling into firm, shear-resistant arrest of monocytes to TNF-alpha-stimulated endothelium in physiological flow. In contrast, MCP-1 and CCR2 but not GRO-alpha and CXCR2 mediated spreading, shape change and subsequent transendothelial migration, which was evident in flow but rarely in stasis and may thus require the establishment of a diffusible MCP-1 gradient. Differential patterns of presentation may determine a functional specialization and hierarchy of chemokines and their receptors in sequential steps of monocyte emigration on inflamed endothelium and shear flow.     

SDF-1 induces IL-8 production and transendothelial migration of human cord blood-derived mast cells

BACKGROUND: Mast cell numbers and expression of chemokines are known to increase in the context of angiogenesis and inflammation, but the mechanisms by which this occurs are not understood. Stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is an important chemokine in angiogenesis and cell migration. The effects of SDF-1 on human mast cells were examined. METHODS: Expression of the SDF-1 receptor CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) on mast cells was examined by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. The ability of labeled cord blood-derived mast cells to migrate across HUVEC monolayers in response to SDF-1 was determined. The cytokine and chemokine responses of cord blood-derived mast cells to SDF-1 treatment over 24 h were examined by ELISA. RESULTS: Cord blood-derived human mast cells expressed the CXCR4 receptor for SDF-1 and migrated across HUVEC monolayers in response to this chemokine. Treatment of cord blood-derived mast cells with SDF-1 did not induce degranulation or the production of several cytokines but did induce a highly selective IL-8 response. CONCLUSION: Human mast cells can both migrate across vascular endothelium and produce the pro-angiogenic chemokine IL-8 in response to SDF-1. These responses may be important in angiogenic processes.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor induce expression of CXCR4 on human endothelial cells: In vivo neovascularization induced by stromal-derived factor-1alpha

The contribution of chemokines toward angiogenesis is currently a focus of intensive investigation. Certain members of the CXC chemokine family can induce bovine capillary endothelial cell migration in vitro and corneal angiogenesis in vivo, and apparently act via binding to their receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. We used an RNAse protection assay that permitted the simultaneous detection of mRNA for various CXC chemokine receptors in resting human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and detected low levels of only CXCR4 mRNA. Stimulation of HUVECs with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) up-regulated levels of only CXCR4 mRNA. CXCR4 specifically binds the chemokine stromal-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha). Competitive binding studies using 125I-labeled SDF-1alpha with Scatchard analysis indicated that VEGF or bFGF induced an average number of approximately 16,600 CXCR4 molecules per endothelial cell, with a Kd = 1.23 x 10(-9) mol/L. These receptors were functional as HUVECs and human aorta endothelial cells (HAECs) migrated toward SDF-1alpha. Although SDF-1alpha-induced chemotaxis was inhibited by the addition of a neutralizing monoclonal CXCR4 antibody, endothelial chemotaxis toward VEGF was not altered; therefore, the angiogenic effect of VEGF is independent of SDF-1alpha. Furthermore, subcutaneous SDF-1alpha injections into mice induced formation of local small blood vessels that was accompanied by leukocytic infiltrates. To test whether these effects were dependent on circulating leukocytes, we successfully obtained SDF-1alpha-induced neovascularization from cross sections of leukocyte-free rat aorta. Taken together, our data indicate that SDF-1alpha acts as a potent chemoattractant for endothelial cells of different origins bearing CXCR4 and is a participant in angiogenesis that is regulated at the receptor level by VEGF and bFGF.