CCL22-CCR4轴在胃癌腹膜乳斑转移的机制研究

目的 探讨巨噬细胞衍生因子MDC/CCL22-CCR4反应轴在胃癌腹膜乳斑转移中的作用.方法 用RT-PCR和Western blot方法检测CCR4在5种胃癌细胞系中的表达;MTT法测定不同浓度CCL22对胃癌细胞株BGC-823增殖率的变化;Transwell小室体外侵袭实验检测CCL22对胃癌细胞株BGC-823趋化活性的影响;免疫组化检测标本中CCR4表达;单变量分析CCR4表达与胃癌临床病理参数的关系.结果 CCR4mRNA和CCR4蛋白在5种胃癌细胞系中均有表达.CCL22可以促进BGC-823细胞的增殖和趋化.CCR4在胃癌中有表达,CCR4表达水平与胃癌分化程度相关(P<0.05),而与患者的年龄、肿瘤大小、位置、分期以及淋巴结转移等均无关(P>0.05).结论 CCL22-CCR4反应轴可能在胃癌腹膜乳斑转移中起作用.CCR4可能成为预防和治疗胃癌腹膜转移的潜在靶点.     

乳腺浸润性导管癌腋窝淋巴结转移与趋化因子受体CCR6/CCL20表达的关系

目的 观察CCR6/CCL20在乳腺浸润性导管癌腋窝淋巴结转移中的作用.方法 应用Western blot检测55例乳腺浸润性导管癌患者标本中肿瘤组织、邻近正常组织以及淋巴结转移组织中CCR6/CCL20通路成员的表达情况.结果 乳腺癌组织中CCR6/CCL20表达水平明显增高分别为正常组织的3.6、2.1倍(P＜0.05,P＞0.05);CCR6表达水平与腋窝淋巴结转移相关(P＜0.05).结论 趋化因子受体CCR6/CCL20表达可能在乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移过程中起重要作用.     

趋化因子受体在肝癌细胞中的表达及其意义

目的 观察趋化因子受体(CCR1 CCR7 CXCB3 CXCR4)在人肝癌细胞系(Hep3BHepG2 HLE和HLF)的表达,并探讨其作用机制.方法 采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)、细胞免疫组织化学、流式细胞仪测定趋化因子受体在肝癌细胞表面的表达,通过肝癌细胞Hep3B体外侵袭实验即重组大鼠巨噬细胞激动蛋白(CCL3)-1对Hep3B细胞穿透人工重组基底膜能力的影响来检测趋化因子受体在肝癌侵袭转移时所起的作用,并通过激光共聚焦显微镜观察趋化因子受体在肝癌细胞侵袭转移过程中的作用机制.结果 通过RT-PCR,流式细胞术可检测到CCR1 mR-NA及蛋白在肝癌细胞中表达,免疫组织化学显示CCR1在肝癌细胞包膜和胞质内都有表达.细胞侵袭实验提示Hep3B在CCL3的刺激下,实验组Hep-3B细胞通过基底膜的数量(213±12)多于对照组细胞通过基底膜的数量(102±11),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).运用激光共聚焦检测到实验组胞内钙离子的浓度增加到.结论 肝癌细胞系(Hep3B HepG2 HLE和HLF)的表面的表达CCRl,且CCR1在肝癌细胞侵袭转移中发挥重要的作用,其作用机制与细胞内钙离子浓度有很关.     

趋化因子受体5促进乳腺癌干细胞的趋化与侵袭

目的 观察趋化因子受体5(CCR5)对乳腺癌干细胞(CD44+CD24-/low)趋化和侵袭作用.方法 应用流式细胞仪分选获得乳腺癌干细胞,逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测乳腺癌MCF-72个SP侧群细胞(side population)6例样本CCR5 mRNA和蛋白质,在趋化因子5(CCL5)作用下通过趋化小室法检测2个SP侧群细胞趋化活性和侵袭活性,并与CCR5的封闭进行对照研究.结果 CCL5对MCF-7肿瘤干细胞有明显趋化[乳腺癌干细胞(86.0±14.8)个/HP与CD44+CD24+(72.0±13.5)个/HP,t=7.461,P<0.05]和侵袭作用[乳腺癌干细胞(25.0±8.3)个/HP与CD44+CD24+(16.0±5.4)个/HP,t=6.665,P<0.05].结论 CCB5表达能够促进乳腺癌干细胞趋化和侵袭.     

不同来源的CC类趋化因子5对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞侵袭能力影响及其作用机制研究

目的 观察不同来源的CC类趋化因子5(CC chemokine ligand 5,CCL5)对人乳腺癌细胞侵袭能力影响并探讨其作用机制.方法 CCL5特异性siRNA慢病毒载体转染人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞,分别用RT-PCR和Western Blot检测细胞CCL5 mRNA和蛋白表达水平,并用细胞侵袭实验检测转染前后细胞侵袭能力的变化.同时,以不同浓度的外源性rhCCL5 (recombinant human CCL5) 作为趋化因素,用细胞侵袭实验检测MCF-7细胞侵袭能力及CC类趋化因子受体5(CCR5)单克隆抗体细胞侵袭能力的影响.结果 CCL5-siRNA慢病毒载体感染可有效降低CCL5 在MCF-7细胞内的表达,细胞的侵袭指数无明显改变,干扰组和阴性对照组侵袭指数差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).rhCCL5可以明显诱导MCF-7细胞的侵袭(P<0.05),并且呈浓度依赖趋势;但是这种诱导作用可以部分地被CCR5单克隆抗体阻断,阻断前后细胞的侵袭指数分别为(7.51±0.77)和(3.34±0.51),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 细胞内表达的CCL5水平变化对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的侵袭能力没有影响,而外源性CCL5 可以明显增强MCF-7细胞的侵袭,其机制之一可能是通过与细胞表面的CCR5受体结合.     

微小RNA-101对前列腺癌干细胞EZH2表达及增殖迁移的影响

目的 调控前列腺癌干细胞(PCSCs)中微小RNA-101(miR-101)表达,观察细胞中EZH2表达及其增殖迁移能力的变化.方法 通过流式分选从LNcap细胞株中获取PCSCs;采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)、Western blot、双荧光素酶、细胞凋亡、细胞周期、细胞迁移实验观察miR-101对前列腺癌干细胞EZH2表达及增殖迁移能力影响.结果 在PCSCs中转染miR-101后,实验组较未处理组EZH2表达量下降46％ (P ＜0.05);双荧光素酶实验证实PCSCs中miR-101直接调控EZH2;凋亡实验中,实验组细胞凋亡率为(3.79±0.24)％,较对照组凋亡率明显增加(P＜0.05);周期实验中,实验组细胞G1期比例为(82.95±0.78)％,较对照组比例增加(P＜0.05),细胞被阻滞在G1/S期;迁移试验中,细胞迁移率为0.38±0.01,明显低于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 过表达miR-101能下调前列腺癌干细胞中EZH2的表达并能降低细胞的增殖迁移能力.     

趋化因子受体CXCR4与配体CXCL12在肝癌细胞迁移中的作用

目的 观察趋化因子受体CXCR4在肝细胞癌组织、肝癌MHCC97细胞中的表达,同时检测肝癌患者血清中CXCR4的配体CXCL12的含量.方法 利用半定量逆转录.聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和蛋白印迹方法检测MHCC97细胞、21例不同时期的肝细胞癌组织及17例正常肝组织中CXCR4的表达水平,同时用酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)检测18例肝癌患者血清中CXCL12的含量.以48孔微趋化板检测重组人CXCL12、肝细胞癌患者腹水对肝细胞癌细胞MHCC97的趋化影响.结果 在肝细胞癌组织、肝癌细胞株中,CXCR4在mRNA及蛋白水平的相对表达量分别为2.21±1.09、2.14±1.15及1.51±0.12、1.76±0.25,正常肝脏组织在mRNA及蛋白水平均未检测到CXCR4的表达.肝细胞癌患者腹水定量检查结果显示,CXCL12含量为783～8364 ng/L(中位数为6871 ng/L).重组人CXCL12可诱导MHCC97细胞的迁移,其趋化指数为3.9±1.2,与其对照1.0±0.4比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);肝细胞癌患者腹水可诱导MHCC97细胞的迁移,其趋化指数为1.9±0.8,与对照组(趋化指数为1.0±0.4)比较有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 肝细胞癌组织和细胞中存在着CXCR4的高表达,但与肝癌临床分期明显相关(r=0.1,P>0.05),同时肝癌患者血清中存在CXCL12的含量升高,这些提示CXCR4可能在肝癌的转移中发挥重要的作用.     

布托啡诺调节CCL2-CCR2轴对食管癌细胞增殖、凋亡和迁移的影响

目的 探讨布托啡诺对食管癌细胞增殖、凋亡、迁移的影响及其对CCL2-CCR2轴的调节作用。方法 使用0～400 ng/ml梯度浓度布托啡诺处理人食管癌KYSE30细胞,MTT法检测细胞增殖能力;将KYSE30细胞分为对照组、布托啡诺L组、布托啡诺M组、布托啡诺H组和布托啡诺H+CCL2组,EdU法检测细胞增殖能力;Hoechst法检细胞凋亡;细胞划痕实验检测细胞迁移;Transwell法检测细胞侵袭;Western blot技术验证CC类趋化因子配体2(CCL2)、CC类趋化因子受体2(CCR2)蛋白表达。结果 50 ng/ml、100 ng/ml、200 ng/ml、400 ng/ml浓度布托啡诺能显著抑制KYSE30细胞增殖;与对照组相比,布托啡诺L、M、H组和布托啡诺H+CCL2组KYSE30细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭能力以及CCL2、CCR2蛋白表达水平显著下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与布托啡诺H组相比,布托啡诺H+CCL2组细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭能力以及CCL2、CCR2蛋白表达水平显著升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 布托啡诺能够显著抑制食管癌K...     

趋化因子2对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7趋化活性及趋化因子5mRNA表达的影响

目的 观察趋化因子2(CCL2)对MCF-7表达趋化因子5(CCL5)mRNA的影响,并观察CCL2对MCF-7趋化活性的影响.方法 使用不同浓度的CCL2作用于MCF-7细胞,通过实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(RTFQ-PCR)测定不同时间CCL5 mRNA的表达,并使用趋化小室法检测CCL2作用下MCF-7趋化活性的改变.结果 当外源性CCL2浓度为200μg/L时,MCF-7中CCL5 mRNA相对表达量最大(15.22±2.32)(P＜0.01),随着作用时间的延长,CCL5 mRNA表达量增加;MCF-7的趋化活性与CCL2浓度呈正相关,当CCL2浓度为300μg/L时,穿膜细胞数最多(88.00±11.53)(P＜0.01);MCF-7的趋化活性与CCL2作用时间呈正相关,当CCL2作用时间为30 h时,穿膜细胞数最多(81.00±9.54)(P＜0.05).结论 加入外源性CCL2,MCF-7中CCL2 mRNA表达量增加,MCF-7趋化活性增强.

Abstract：

Objective To observe the effects of chemokine 2 (CCL2) on the expression of chemokine 5 ( CCL5) mRNA and chemotactic activity of MCF-7 cells. Methods MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of CCL2, the expression of CCL5 mRNA was detected by using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction ( RTFQ-PCR), and the chemotactic activity of MCF-7 was measured by using chemotaxis chamber method. Results When the concentration of exogenous CCL2 was 200 μg/L, the MCF-7 cells expressed the highest CCL5 mRNA (15. 22 ± 2. 3, P ＜0. 01). With the prolongation of CCL2 action time, the expression levels of CCL5 mRNA were increased. There was a positive correlation between the chemotactic activity of MCF-7 cells and the concentration of CCL2. When the concentration of exogenous CCL2 was 300 μg/L, the number of penetrating cells was the greatest (88.00 ±11. 53, P ＜0. 01). With the prolongation of CCL2 action time, the chemotactic activity of MCF-7 cells was enhanced. When the action time was 30 h, the number of penetrating cells was the greatest (81.00 ±9. 54, P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusion Exogenous CCL2 could increase the expression of CCL5 mRNA and the chemotactic activity of MCF-7 cells.     

肾母细胞瘤过表达基因对肾癌细胞的作用

目的 探讨肾母细胞瘤过表达( nephroblastoma overexpressed,NOV)基因对肾癌细胞增殖、黏附、侵袭和迁移能力的影响. 方法 构建NOV蛋白表达真核细胞重组表达质粒pEGFP-C1-NOV,转染人肾癌细胞株786-O.通过计数细胞绘制生长曲线、水溶性四氮唑法(WST-1)检测细胞生长抑制率,通过细胞黏附实验、侵袭实验和细胞迁移实验,比较转染pEGFP-C1 -NOV组(实验组)与转染空载体组(空载组)及未转染组(空白组)的细胞增殖、黏附、侵袭和迁移能力的差异. 结果 与空白组比较,实验组48、72 h抑制率分别为29.14％、32.46％,空载组分别为9.25％和- 8.16％,实验组与空白组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),空载组与空白组相比差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).与层粘连蛋白黏附,实验组A值为0.26±0.03,高于空白组(0.15±0.01)和空载组(0.14 ±0.02),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);与人纤维连接蛋白黏附,实验组A值为0.28±0.04,高于空白组(0.124±0.095)和空载组(0.128±0.082),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).实验组穿越Matrigel基质胶的细胞数为240.25±23.12,显著高于空白组(56.16 ±6.25)和空载组(50.28 ±7.13),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);实验组迁移通过聚碳酸酯微孔滤膜的细胞数为267.25±20.94,显著高于空白组(66.10 ±5.68)和空载组(56.28 ±4.11),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05). 结论 NOV可抑制肾癌细胞的增殖,促进肾癌细胞786-O的黏附、侵袭和迁移.     

IgA肾病伴扁桃体炎患者Th22细胞及CCL27/CCR10轴的表达

目的分析IgA肾病(IgAN)伴扁桃体炎患者辅助T细胞22(Th22)细胞及相关细胞因子、趋化因子轴的表达变化,探讨其与临床病理改变的关系。方法纳入2015年6月至2016年6月在中南大学湘雅医院经肾活检确诊为IgAN的患者为研究对象。按照肾脏病理类型及是否合并扁桃体炎分为IgAN合并扁桃体炎(IgAN+扁桃体炎)组、单纯IgAN(IgAN)组、系膜增生性肾小球肾炎(MsPGN)组和对照组(HC)组。采用流式细胞术检测外周血Th17、Th22细胞及Th22细胞CC型趋化因子受体(CCR)4、CCR6、CCR10表达阳性细胞占比;酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测Th22细胞效应因子白细胞介素(IL)-22,促分化因子IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α、CC型趋化因子配体(CCL)22、CCL20、CCL27水平。免疫组织化学方法(IHC)检测肾组织中CCL22、CCL20和CCL27的表达。比较分析各组临床病理指标、Th22细胞占比及相关趋化因子表达的差异。结果本研究共纳入44例IgAN患者,其中14例合并扁桃体炎,另纳入10例MsPGN患者及16例健康人作为对照。各组性别、年龄匹配,血压、肾功能、血脂等生化指标的差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。IgAN组、MsPGN组及IgAN+扁桃体炎组外周血Th22细胞、CCR10表达阳性细胞占比明显高于对照组,血清IL-22、IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α、CCL20、CCL22、CCL27水平亦较高,且IgAN+扁桃体炎组更为显著(均P<0.05)。各组肾脏组织CCL20、CCL22、CCL27表达改变与其外周血变化一致。合并血尿的IgAN患者外周血Th22细胞占比显著高于无血尿组患者。病理分型(E1、S1或T1-2)较重的IgAN患者外周血Th22细胞占比显著高于病理分型较轻者(E0、S0或T0)。结论Th22细胞及CCL27/CCR10轴参与了IgAN发病过程,扁桃体炎可加重IgAN的临床与病理损伤。     

胃癌患者血清中CCL20和CCR6的表达及临床意义

目的 测定趋化因子CCL20及其受体CCR6在胃癌患者的血清中表达,并探讨CCL20和CCR6表达水平与胃癌的发生发展关系.方法 应用荧光定量PCR技术、流式细胞术和酶联免疫吸附法测定50例胃癌患者和30例健康对照者外周血中CCL20和CCR6的mRNA和蛋白表达水平.结果 胃癌患者CCL20和CCR6的mRNA表达均显著高于健康对照组(P<0.01);胃癌患者外周血中CCL20和CCR6的蛋白表达分别为(45.4±10.9)pg/mL和(7.11±1.03)%,显著高于健康人的(18.6±4.7)pg/mL和(1.83±0.43)%(P<0.01),且其升高程度与胃癌临床分期有明显关系.结论 胃癌患者CCL20和CCR6的表达与胃癌的发生发展存在一定的相关性,可能参与胃癌的发病过程,推测其可能作为胃癌诊断、复发和转移的分子标志物.     

The immune aspect in neuropathic pain: Role of chemokines

Neuropathic pain is a pathological symptom experienced worldwide by patients suffering with nervous system dysfunction caused by various diseases. Treatment of neuropathic pain is always accompanied by a poor response and undesired adverse effects. Therefore, developing a novel “pain-kill” drug design strategy is critical in this field. Recent evidence demonstrates that neuroinflammation and immune response contributes to the development of neuropathic pain. Nerve damage can initiate inflammatory and immune responses, as evidenced by the upregulation of cytokines and chemokines. In this paper, we demonstrated that different chemokines and chemokine receptors (e.g., CX3CL1/CX3CR1, CCL2/CCR2, CCL3/CCR1, CCL4/CCR5 and CCL5/CCR5) serve as mediators for neuron–glia communication subsequently modulate nociceptive signal transmission. By extensively understanding the role of chemokines in neurons and glial cells in nociceptive signal transmission, a novel strategy for a target-specific drug design could be developed.     

Immunomonitoring of renal transplant recipients in the early posttransplant period by sequential analysis of chemokine and chemokine receptor gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

INTRODUCTION: We sought to determine whether sequential changes in chemokine ligand/receptor gene expression in the early posttransplant period of human renal allografts can be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and whether any such changes are predictive of clinical events. METHODS: Blood samples from 106 renal transplant recipients and 29 donor nephrectomy patients were taken preoperatively and daily for 14 days. Within the study period 22 patients had biopsy-proven acute rejection. From each blood sample PBMCs were separated and gene expression levels for chemokines CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CXCL10, and their receptors CCR1, CCR5, and CXCR3, were determined using real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Different gene expression patterns were seen between the rejector and nonrejector groups with decreases in CCL4 and CCR5 expression on days 6 to 8 and increases in CCR1 expression on days 9 and 10 posttransplant. With CXCL10, decreases in expression were seen in the nonrejector group but increases were seen in the rejector group posttransplant. With data aligned to time of rejection diagnosis, statistically significant increases, that preceded the clinical detection of acute rejection were seen in CCR1 and CXCL10 expression. Both their expression levels returned to pretransplant baseline values after successful antirejection therapy. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that changes in chemokine receptor/ligand gene expression by sequential monitoring in PBMCs can be detected in the early posttransplant period. In particular, CCR1 and CXCL10, which showed increased expression prior to rejection and returned to baseline levels with antirejection therapy, may have potential use in immunomonitoring and as predictive factors of rejection prior to its clinical manifestation.     

CCR and CC chemokine expression in relation to Flt3 ligand-induced renal dendritic cell mobilization

BACKGROUND: We investigated the expression and function of CC chemokine receptors (CCR) on highly-purified kidney and blood dendritic cells isolated from mice in which dendritic cells were mobilized with fms-like tyrosine 3 kinase ligand (Flt3L). METHODS: CCR and CC chemokine expression were determined by RNase protection assay or flow cytometry, and dendritic cell migratory responses assayed using Transwell chambers. Chemokine production in renal tissue was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Trafficking of fluorochrome-labeled dendritic cells was monitored in vivo. RESULTS: Freshly-isolated renal dendritic cells expressed mRNA for CCR1, 2, 5, and 7 and CCR1 and 5 protein. They did not migrate to inducible chemokines--CCL3 [macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha], CCL5 [regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES)], or CCL20 (MIP-3alpha). Following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, the dendritic cells down-regulated CCR1, 2, and 5 expression, up-regulated or sustained signals for CCR7, and migrated to the constitutively expressed ligands CCL19 (MIP-3beta) and CCL21 (secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine). Normal kidneys expressed weak message for CCL2, 3, and 4, with stronger signals for CCL5 and 19. Intrarenal CCL5 production was enhanced by Flt3L administration, in association with marked increases in interstitial CD45+ mononuclear cells. Mobilized blood dendritic cells migrated to CCR2 and CCR5 ligands and trafficked to renal intertubular sites following adoptive (intravenous) transfer. Their migration to the CCR5 ligand MIP-1beta (CCL4) and homing to kidneys of Flt3L-treated recipients were inhibited by CCR5 antagonism. CONCLUSION: These data implicate specific CCR and their ligands in regulation of the dendritic cell constituency of the kidney. CCR5 antagonism inhibits their directed migration and intrarenal accumulation.     

Differential expression of beta-chemokines MCP-1 and RANTES and their receptors CCR1, CCR2, CCR5 in acute rejection and chronic allograft nephropathy of human renal allografts

BACKGROUND: The beta-chemokines MCP-1 (CCL2) and RANTES (CCL5) have been shown to play important roles in acute renal transplant rejection (AR) and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). The potential relationship of expression of these chemokines, their chemokine receptors CCR1, CCR2, CCR5, and the cell populations of inflammatory infiltrate, histological and clinical diagnoses were investigated in biopsies at the time of AR and compared with biopsies of CAN. METHODS: In 24 renal transplant biopsies with AR (n = 15) and CAN (n = 9), the expression of MCP-1 and RANTES, their receptors CCR1, CCR2, and CCR5 and the infiltration with monocytes/macrophages and T cells were studied. RESULTS: As previously described, chemokine and chemokine receptor expression was found mainly in mononuclear cells infiltrating the interstitium and glomeruli. In the tubulointerstitial area and glomeruli the expression of MCP-1, RANTES, and their receptors correlated with an infiltration by monocytes/macrophages. Biopsies with CAN revealed a lower expression of MCP-1, RANTES, CCR1, CCR2 and CCR5 in tubulointerstitial cells, and a significantly lower infiltration with MRP14-positive monocytes/macrophages than biopsies with AR. In AR, MCP-1 and CCR1 showed a lower expression compared to RANTES, CCR2, and CCR5. CONCLUSIONS: The positive correlation between chemokines and chemokine receptors and infiltrating leukocytes during acute rejection, the lower but detectable expression of MCP-1, RANTES, CCR1, CCR2 and CCR5 in CAN, and the differences in the quantity of expression between the different chemokines and chemokine receptors point to a complex regulation of chemokine expression in renal allografts. Since chemokines are not only involved in inflammation but also in tissue regeneration, this could have impact on the development of CAN.     

Migratory responses of murine hepatic myeloid, lymphoid-related, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells to CC chemokines

Dendritic cell (DC) trafficking is regulated by chemokine receptor expression and responsiveness to chemokines. The authors compared CC chemokine receptor (CCR) expression by mouse liver myeloid, "lymphoid-related," and plasmacytoid DC subsets and their responsiveness to CC chemokines. CCR mRNA expression by liver DC subsets was evaluated by RNase protection assay. In vitro migration of the DC in response to recombinant murine CC chemokines was assayed using Transwell chambers. Immature liver DC did not respond to any CC chemokines tested, despite expression of mRNA encoding appropriate receptors for their ligands. CCR7 expression by each liver DC subset was strongly enhanced in response to maturation. The migratory capacity of liver plasmacytoid DC was similar to that of liver myeloid and lymphoid-related DC. These findings suggest that targeting of CCR7 and its ligands may be a potential approach for manipulation of liver DC trafficking to secondary lymphoid tissue after liver transplantation.     

Review: chemokines in transplantation

The alloimmune response in solid organ transplantation is characterized by antigen presentation, activation of the recipient's immune system, and an effector response. Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines and play a role in all 3 components of the alloimmune response. Early studies showed an effectiveness of chemokine receptor blockade in experimental transplant models; chemokine receptor blockers will become more widely available because of their development for other applications. This review intends to summarize the available experimental evidence surrounding chemokines in transplantation. It will first describe the inflammatory chemokine/receptor pairs IP-10/CXCR3, Regulated upon Activation, Normal T-cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES)/CCR5, and MCP-1/CCR2 and then cover studies regarding dendritic cell trafficking, memory cell trafficking, and regulatory cell trafficking, as well as the role of chemokines in the innate immune system. The role of S1P receptors and its antagonist FTY720 will be covered because it exemplifies the importance of trafficking for the immune response. Especially as subsets of lymphocytes and dendritic cells will be better defined as far as their regulatory and memory function is concerned, chemokine targeting strategies will be important in transplantation.