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C R Mackay

Publications and source records attributed to C R Mackay.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Chemokine receptor usage by human eosinophils. The importance of CCR3 demonstrated using an antagonistic monoclonal antibody.

Chemokines bind and signal through G-protein coupled seven transmembrane receptors. Various chemokine receptors are expressed on leukocytes, and these may impart selective homing of leukocyte subsets to sites of inflammation. Human eosinophils express the eotaxin receptor, CCR3, but respond to a variety of CC chemokines apart from eotaxin, including RANTES, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-2, MCP-3, and MCP-4. Here we describe a mAb, 7B11, that is selective for CCR3 and has the properties of a true receptor antagonist. 7B11 blocked binding of various radiolabeled chemokines to either CCR3 transfectants, or eosinophils. Pretreatment of eosinophils with this mAb blocked chemotaxis and calcium flux induced by all CCR3 ligands. In all individuals examined, including allergic and eosinophilic donors, > 95% of the response of eosinophils to eotaxin, RANTES, MCP-2, MCP-3, and MCP-4 was shown to be mediated through CCR3. The IL-8 receptors, particularly CXCR2, were induced on IL-5 primed eosinophils, however these eosinophils responded to CC chemokines in the same manner as unprimed eosinophils. These results demonstrate the importance of CCR3 for eosinophil responses, and the feasibility of completely antagonizing this receptor.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Enhanced expression of eotaxin and CCR3 mRNA and protein in atopic asthma. Association with airway hyperresponsiveness and predominant co-localization of eotaxin mRNA to bronchial epithelial and endothelial cells.

Eotaxin is a newly discovered C-C chemokine which preferentially attracts and activates eosinophil leukocytes by acting specifically on its receptor CCR3. The airway inflammation characteristic of asthma is believed to be, at least in part, the result of eosinophil-dependent tissue injury. This study was designed to determine whether there is increased expression of eotaxin and CCR3 in the bronchial mucosa of asthmatics and whether this is associated with disease severity. The major sources of eotaxin and CCR3 mRNA were determined by co-localization experiments. Bronchial mucosal biopsy samples were obtained from atopic asthmatics and normal non-atopic controls. Eotaxin and CCR3 mRNA were identified in tissue sections by in situ hybridization (ISH) using radiolabeled riboprobes and their protein product visualized by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Co-localization experiments were performed by double ISH/IHC. Eotaxin and CCR3 (mRNA and protein) were significantly elevated in atopic asthmatics compared with normal controls. In the asthmatics there was a highly significant inverse correlation between eotaxin mRNA+ cells and the histamine provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20). Cytokeratin-positive epithelial cells and CD31+ endothelial cells were the major source of eotaxin mRNA whereas CCR3 co-localized predominantly to eosinophils. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that damage to the bronchial mucosa in asthma involves secretion of eotaxin by epithelial and endothelial cells resulting in eosinophil infiltration mediated via CCR3. Since selective (eotaxin) and non-selective C-C chemokines such as RANTES, MCP-3 and MCP-4 all stimulate eosinophils via CCR3, this receptor is potentially a prime therapeutic target in the spectrum of diseases involving eosinophil-mediated tissue damage.

Adult↗

Human mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 is preferentially expressed in intestinal tract and associated lymphoid tissue.

Lymphocyte homing to normal tissues and recruitment to inflammatory tissue sites are controlled, in part, by the selective expression of chemokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, and various adhesion proteins and molecules. In the mouse, mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) is selectively expressed on endothelium of high endothelial venules in gut and gut-associated lymphoid tissue. By interaction with its integrin ligand, alpha 4 beta 7, lymphocytes presumed to be involved in mucosal immunity are selectively recruited to these intestinal sites. After generating monoclonal antibodies against a murine cell line expressing recombinant human MAdCAM-1, we qualitatively and semiquantitatively assessed MAdCAM-1 expression in human tissue sections from various normal and inflammatory disorders. We found that human MAdCAM-1, as in the mouse, is expressed in a tissue-selective manner. In normal tissues, MAdCAM-1 is constitutively expressed to endothelium of venules of intestinal lamina propria. Interestingly, using computer-assisted morphometric analysis, the proportion of venular endothelium within lamina propria that expresses MAdCAM-1 is increased, compared with normal tissues, at inflammatory foci associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Moreover, for the most part, MAdCAM-1 is not detected in the majority of normal or inflamed extra-intestinal tissues, including those with mucosal surfaces. These results are consistent with a role, as originally defined in the mouse, for human MAdCAM-1 in the localization of alpha 4 beta 7+ lymphocytes in the gastrointestinal tract and associated lymphoid tissue. As such, the pathway defined by MAdCAM-1/alpha 4 beta 7 may be a relevant tissue-specific therapeutic target for the modulation of inflammatory bowel disease activity.

Animals↗

Cellular localization of the chemokine receptor CCR5. Correlation to cellular targets of HIV-1 infection.

The chemokine receptor CCR5 has recently been described as a co-receptor for macrophage-tropic strains of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1. In this study, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for human CCR5, we show by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry that CCR5 is expressed by bone-marrow-derived cells known to be targets for HIV-1 infection, including a subpopulation of lymphocytes and monocyte/macrophages in blood, primary and secondary lymphoid organs, and noninflamed tissues. In the central nervous system, CCR5 is expressed on neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. In other tissues, CCR5 is expressed on epithelium, endothelium, vascular smooth muscle, and fibroblasts. Chronically inflamed tissues contain an increased number of CCR5+ mononuclear cells, and the number of immunoreactive cells is directly associated with a histopathological correlate of inflammatory severity. Collectively, these results suggest that CCR5+ cells are recruited to inflammatory sites and, as such, may facilitate transmission of macrophage-tropic strains of HIV-1.

Animals↗

Discrete steps in binding and signaling of interleukin-8 with its receptor.

The mechanisms by which chemokines bind and signal through their receptors are complex and poorly understood. In the present study, we sought to dissect these processes and to map important functional domains of the two CXC chemokine (interleukin-8) receptors, CXCR1 (formally IL-8RA) and CXCR2 (formally IL-8RB), using blocking monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the receptors and a series of chimeras between CXCR1 and CXCR2. A panel of specific mAbs against CXCR1 or CXCR2, generated by immunizing mice with transfectants expressing either receptor, were shown to effectively block IL-8- and/or growth-related oncogene alpha (GROalpha) -mediated ligand binding, chemotaxis, elastase release, and VCAM-1 binding in CXCR1 and CXCR2 transfectants and/or human neutrophils. Of particular interest was an anti-CXCR1 mAb, 7D9, that inhibited chemotaxis, elastase release, and VCAM-1 binding but had no detectable effects on ligand binding. The epitopes of these blocking mAbs were mapped by using a series of CXCR1/2 chimera transfectants and synthetic peptides. Most of the anti-CXCR1 antibodies, except 7D9, mapped to the amino acid sequence WDFDDL (CXCR1 residues 10-15), and all the anti-CXCR2 antibodies mapped to the amino acid sequence FEDFW (CXCR2 residues 6-10). The epitope of mAb 7D9 mainly involved a region within the first 45 residues of CXCR1, and it appeared to be conformation-sensitive. These results support a model in which the binding and signaling of IL-8 with its receptor occur in at least two discrete steps involving distinct domains of the receptor. This model is consistent with the notion that discrete conformational changes of the receptor secondary to ligand binding are required to trigger various biological responses. Moreover, the ligand binding and chemotaxis properties of each CXCR1/2 chimeric receptor to IL-8 and GROalpha were determined. It was found that each is distinct in its ability to confer ligand binding and chemotactic response to IL-8 and GROalpha, and two conclusions could be made. 1) The N-terminal segment of CXCR1 is a dominant determinant of receptor subtype selectivity, consistent with previous studies using rabbit/human CXCR1/2 chimeras; and 2) the specificity determinant for GROalpha binding in CXCR2 involves sequences in the N terminus, distal to the first 15 residues, as well as other parts of the receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The beta-chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR5 facilitate infection by primary HIV-1 isolates.

We examined the ability of chemokine receptors and related G protein-coupled receptors to facilitate infection by primary, clinical HIV-1 isolates. CCR5, when expressed along with CD4, the HIV-1 receptor, allowed cell lines resistant to most primary HIV-1 isolates to be infected. CCR3 facilitated infection by a more restricted subset of primary viruses, and binding of the CCR3 ligand, eotaxin, inhibited infection by these isolates. Utilization of CCR3 and CCR5 on the target cell depended upon the sequence of the third variable (V3) region of the HIV-1 gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein. The ability of various members of the chemokine receptor family to support the early stages of HIV-1 infection helps to explain viral tropism and beta-chemokine inhibition of primary HIV-1 isolates.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Different functions for the interleukin 8 receptors (IL-8R) of human neutrophil leukocytes: NADPH oxidase and phospholipase D are activated through IL-8R1 but not IL-8R2.

Two monoclonal antibodies, anti-IL8R1 and anti-IL8R2, raised against both interleukin 8 receptors (IL-8R) of human neutrophils, IL-8R1 and IL-8R2, were used to study individual receptor functions after stimulation with IL-8, GRO alpha, or NAP-2. Efficacy and selectivity of the antibodies were tested in Jurkat cells transfected with cDNA coding for one or the other receptor. The binding of 125 I labeled IL-8 and IL-8-induced changes of the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration were inhibited by anti-IL8RI in cells expressing IL-8R1 and by anti-IL8R2 in cells expressing IL-8R2. In human neutrophils, release of elastase was observed after stimulation with IL-8 or GRO alpha. The response to IL-8 was inhibited slightly by anti-IL8R1 and more substantially when both monoclonal antibodies were present, while the response to GRO alpha was inhibited by anti-IL8R2 but was not affected by anti-IL8R1. These results indicate that both IL-8 receptors can signal independently for granule enzyme release. Superoxide production, a measure of the respiratory burst, was obtained with increasing concentrations of IL-8 with maximum effects at 25 to 50 nM, but no response was observed upon challenge with GRO alpha or NAP-2 up to 1000 nM. The superoxide production induced by IL-8 was inhibited by anti-IL8R1, but was not affected by anti-IL8R2. Stimulation of neutrophils with IL-8, in contrast to GRO alpha or NAP-2, also elicited phospholipase D activity. The effect of IL-8 was again inhibited by anti-IL-8R1 but not by anti-IL8R2, indicating that this response, like the respiratory burst, was mediated by IL-8R1. Taken together, our results show that IL-8R1 and IL-8R2 are functionally different. Responses, such as cytosolic free Ca2+ changes and the release of granule enzymes, are mediated through both receptors, whereas the respiratory burst and the activation of phospholipase D depend exclusively on stimulation through IL-8R1.

Antigens, CD↗

Molecular cloning and characterization of a human eotaxin receptor expressed selectively on eosinophils.

The chemokine eotaxin is unusual in that it appears to be a highly specific chemoattractant for eosinophils. Ligand-binding studies with radiolabeled eotaxin demonstrated a receptor on eosinophils distinct from the known chemokine receptors CKR-1 and -2. The distinct eotaxin binding site on human eosinophils also bound RANTES (regulated on activation T expressed and secreted) and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)3. We have now isolated a cDNA from eosinophils, termed CKR-3, with significant sequence similarity to other well characterized chemokine receptors. Cells transfected with CKR-3 cDNA bound radiolabeled eotaxin specifically and with high affinity, comparable to the binding affinity observed with eosinophils. This receptor also bound RANTES and MCP-3 with high affinity, but not other CC or CXC chemokines. Furthermore, receptor transfectants generated in a murine B cell lymphoma cell line migrated in transwell chemotaxis assays to eotaxin, RANTES, and MCP-3, but not to any other chemokines. A monoclonal antibody recognizing CKR-3 was used to show that eosinophils, but not other leukocyte types, expressed this receptor. This pattern of expression was confirmed by Northern blot with RNA from highly purified leukocyte subsets. The restricted expression of CKR-3 on eosinophils and the fidelity of eotaxin binding to CKR-3, provides a potential mechanism for the selective recruitment and migration of eosinophils within tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential expression of homing molecules on recirculating lymphocytes from sheep gut, peripheral, and lung lymph.

The adhesion molecules integrin alpha 4 beta 7 and L-selectin have been hypothesized to help direct selective migration (homing) of lymphocytes to the gut and peripheral lymph nodes, respectively. An important prediction of current models is that lymphocytes selectively recirculating through an organ will preferentially express adhesion receptors for organ-specific endothelial ligands. To test this prediction, we directly examined the expression of cell adhesion molecules on lymphocytes recirculating through the gut, the periphery, and the lung. Integrin beta 7 was highly expressed on CD4+CD45R- "memory/effector" T cells recirculating through the gut (mesenteric efferent and lower thoracic duct lymph). In contrast, cells recirculating through the periphery (prescapular efferent lymph) and the lung (caudal mediastinal efferent lymph) had much less beta 7 expression. A similar pattern of organ-specific beta 7 expression was seen on B cells. Beta 7 expression corresponded with adhesion to the gut mucosal addressin, MAdCAM-1, in vitro. The peripheral lymph node homing receptor, L-selectin, was expressed at higher levels on CD4+CD45R- T cells from peripheral lymph than on cells from gut or lung lymph. These results provide additional strong support for alpha 4 beta 7 and L-selectin involvement in lymphocyte homing to the gut and to peripheral lymph nodes, respectively. Lymphocytes emigrating from the lung expressed low levels of both homing receptors and likely utilize molecules other than alpha 4 beta 7 and L-selectin for migration to the lung and associated lymphoid tissue.

Animals↗

Cloning of the human eosinophil chemoattractant, eotaxin. Expression, receptor binding, and functional properties suggest a mechanism for the selective recruitment of eosinophils.

The CC chemokine eotaxin, identified in guinea pigs and also recently in mice, may be a key element for the selective recruitment of eosinophils to certain inflamed tissues. Using a partial mouse eotaxin CDNA probe, the human eotaxin gene was cloned and found to be 61.8 and 63.2% identical at the amino acid level to guinea pig and mouse eotaxin. Human eotaxin protein was a strong and specific eosinophil chemoattractant in vitro and was an effective eosinophil chemoattractant when injected into the skin of a rhesus monkey. Radiolabeled eotaxin was used to identify a high affinity receptor on eosinophils (0.52 nM Kd), expressed at 4.8 x 10(4) sites per cell. This receptor also bound RANTES and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 with lower affinity, but not macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha. Eotaxin could desensitize calcium responses of eosinophils to RANTES and monocyte chemotactic protein-3, although RANTES was able to only partially desensitize eosinophil calcium responses to eotaxin. Immunohistochemistry on human nasal polyp with antieotaxin mAbs showed that certain leukocytes as well as respiratory epithelium were intensely immunoreactive, and eosinophil infiltration occurred at sites of eotaxin upregulation. Thus eotaxin in humans is a potent and selective eosinophil chemoattractant that is expressed by a variety cell types in certain inflammatory conditions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8 receptors on subsets of T cells: correlation with transendothelial chemotactic potential.

The differential expression of chemokine receptors may be an important mechanism for the regulation of T cell migration. To test this, we examined the expression and function of the monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and interleukin (IL)-8 receptors on various population of T cells. Using a simple and reliable transendothelial chemotaxis assay, both MCP-1 and IL-8 were shown to be chemotactic for subsets of blood T cells, although the relative response varied from donor to donor. To examine receptor expression and correlate it with chemotaxis of T cell subsets, monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to the receptors were produced by immunizing mice either with synthetic peptides (MCP-1 receptor), or with receptor transfectants (IL-8 receptors A and B). A flow cytometric analysis of blood T cells with an anti-MCP-1 receptor mAb revealed low expression on the CD26hi subset and undetectable expression on other T cells. Staining of T cells with anti-Il-8RA and anti-IL-8RB showed much higher levels of expression, but only on a subset of CD3+ cells which were CD8+ and CD56+. That IL-8 and MCP-1 attracted distinct subsets of T cells was best illustrated using the CD26 marker, since IL-8R+ T cells were CD26-, whereas T cells expressing detectable MCP-1R or which responded to MCP-1 in chemotaxis assays were CD26hi. T cells activated in vitro with anti-CD3 up-regulated expression of the MCP-1 receptor, but not the IL-8 receptors, and were attracted to MCP-1 much more efficiently than resting T cells. These results show that there is a clear distinction between the IL-8 and MCP-1-responsive T cell populations and that chemokine receptor expression on T cells may be regulated with respect to linkage as well as cellular activation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Phenotype, and migration properties of three major subsets of tissue homing T cells in sheep.

T cells show a bias in their migration pathways: some T cells preferentially migrate to peripheral lymph nodes (LN), some to mucosal tissues, and some to peripheral tissues such as skin. These recirculation pathways were examined in sheep by collecting lymph draining into and out of peripheral and intestinal LN, and using fluorescent dyes to trace the recirculation of the lymph cells. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to alpha 4, beta 1, and beta 7 integrins, and L-selectin, were used to define three major populations of recirculating T cells. Naive-type T cells (L-selectin+, alpha 4 beta 1lo beta 7lo) migrated preferentially through peripheral LN. Two memory populations could be defined: alpha 4 beta 1hi beta 7- and alpha 4 beta 7hi beta 1lo. alpha 4 beta 1hi beta 7- T cells were present in lymph draining from the skin. T cells migrating preferentially through intestinal LN were alpha 4 beta 7hi beta 1lo. Consistent with this migration pattern, the endothelial receptor for alpha 4 beta 7, mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) was detected on high endothelial venules within intestinal LN and Peyer's patches, but only weakly on high endothelial venules within peripheral LN. Thus, there are at least three easily definable subsets of T cells, based on integrin expression, which show distinct migration preferences.

Animals↗

Characterisation of leucocytic somatic cells in bovine milk.

The mammary gland is of cutaneous origin with stromal leucocytic infiltrates and it excretes leucocytes in the milk. Milk T lymphocytes are highly enriched by sedimenting milk somatic cells in a 43 per cent preformed Percoll gradient. Thirty to 54 per cent of leucocytes, harvested from the upper Percoll band, belong to CD2+ CD3+ T lymphocytes. These milk T lymphocytes are mature CD4+, or CD8+ single positive T cells, expressing CD44, CD26, and beta 1 integrin, but not Lam-1. Milk T lymphocyte subsets may play an important role in regional immunosurveillance of the mammary epithelia and stroma. Selective mechanisms may account for the trafficking of this activated, memory T lymphocyte subset in the gland.

Animals↗

Rapid resolution of chronic colitis in the cotton-top tamarin with an antibody to a gut-homing integrin alpha 4 beta 7.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Integrins play diverse roles in cellular actions and signalling in the immune system. In the context of mucosal immune responses, the integrin alpha 4 beta 7 has received particular attention because of its intimate involvement in lymphocyte recruitment to normal gastrointestinal mucosa and associated lymphoid tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the functional relevance of alpha 4 beta 7 in the pathogenesis of colonic inflammatory disease using the colitic cotton-top tamarin, an animal model of human ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Chronically colitic cotton-top tamarins were given either a cross-reactive monoclonal antibody to human alpha 4 beta 7 or an irrelevant control monoclonal antibody. The animals were then evaluated clinically and mucosal biopsy specimens assessed by histological and quantitative morphometric analysis. RESULTS: A blocking monoclonal antibody to alpha 4 beta 7 integrin ameliorated inflammatory activity and rapidly improved stool consistency when administered to chronically colitic animals. Furthermore, using morphometric analysis of biopsy specimens, antibody therapy reduced the mucosal density of alpha 4 beta 7+ lymphocytes and alpha 4 beta 7 neutrophils and macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the alpha 4 beta 7 integrin represents a novel, potentially organ-specific therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Animals↗

Biology of chemokine and classical chemoattractant receptors: differential requirements for adhesion-triggering versus chemotactic responses in lymphoid cells.

Several chemoattractant receptors can support agonist-induced, integrin-dependent arrest of rolling neutrophils in inflamed venules in vivo, as well as subsequent crawling into tissues. It has been hypothesized that receptors of the Galpha(i)-linked chemoattractant subfamilies, especially receptors for chemokines, may mediate parallel activation-dependent arrest of homing lymphocyte subsets. However, although several chemokines can attract subsets of B or T cells, robust chemoattractant triggering of resting lymphocyte adhesion to vascular ligands has not been observed. To study the biology of individual leukocyte chemoattractant receptors in a defined lymphoid environment, mouse L1/2 pre-B cells and/or human Jurkat T cells were transfected with alpha (IL-8 receptor A) or beta (MIP-1alpha/CC-CKR-1) chemokine receptors, or with the classical chemoattractant C5a (C5aR) or formyl peptide receptors (fPR). All receptors supported robust agonist-dependent alpha4beta1 integrin-mediated adhesion of lymphocytes to VCAM-1. L1/2 cells cotransfected with fPR and beta7 integrin were also induced to bind MAdCAM-1, suggesting common mechanisms coupling chemoattractant receptors to activation of distinct integrins. Adhesion was rapid but transient, with spontaneous reversion to unstimulated levels within 5 min after peak binding. When observed under flow conditions, alpha4beta1-mediated arrest occurred within seconds after initiation of contact and rolling of IL-8RA transfectants on VCAM-1/IL-8 co-coated surface; and arrest reversed spontaneously after a mean of 5 min with a return to rolling behavior. Each of the receptors also conferred agonist-specific chemotaxis; however, whereas strong adhesion required simultaneous occupancy of many receptors with maximal responses above the Kd, chemotaxis in each case was suppressed at high agonist concentrations. The findings indicate that alpha and beta chemokine as well as classical chemoattractant receptors can trigger robust adhesion as well as directed migration of lymphoid cells, but that the requirements for and kinetics of adhesion triggering and chemotaxis are distinct, thus permitting their independent regulation. They suggest that the discordance between proadhesive and chemoattractant responses of circulating lymphocytes to many chemokines may reflect quantitative aspects of receptor expression and/or coupling rather than qualitative differences in receptor signaling.

Animals↗

LFA-1 and L-selectin regulation of recirculating lymphocyte tethering and rolling on lung microvascular endothelium.

Recirculating lymphocytes migrate into areas of lung inflammation by binding to microvascular endothelium and transmigrating into extravascular tissue. In this report, we examined the multiple-step paradigm using a unique system: recirculating lymphocytes from sheep peripheral lymphatics adhering to activated lung microvascular endothelium in conditions of physiologic flow. Video microscopy demonstrated that recirculating lymphocytes formed abrupt adhesions, without requisite rolling, on the lung microvascular endothelial cells. Lymphocyte velocity was unchanged within 100 ms of the development of firm adhesions. To dissect the adhesion mechanism, the lymphocytes were pretreated with anti-LFA-1 or anti-L-selectin monoclonal antibody (mAb). Both mAb decreased the incidence of firm adhesions. The mechanism of this inhibition was investigated using time-lapse topographic reconstructions of cell movement after pretreatment with mAb. Time-lapse analysis of the movement of lymphocytes pretreated with anti-LFA-1 mAb suggested that abortive adhesion was manifested by a characteristic saltatory movement and a sustained reduction in cell velocity (rolling) to <25 microns/s. In contrast, abortive adhesions of lymphocytes pretreated with anti-L-selectin mAb demonstrated transient arrest (tethering) but minimal rolling before resumption of baseline velocity in the flow stream. These observations provide insights into selectin and integrin regulation of lymphocyte transmigration into the lung. Further, the results of mAb inhibition suggest that the mechanism of lymphocyte migration may have some unique features not observed in studies of neutrophil transmigration.

Animals↗

Chemokine expression in simian immunodeficiency virus-induced AIDS encephalitis.

The pathogenesis of neurological dysfunction associated with human immunodeficiency (HIV)-1 infection is uncertain. However, the presence of macrophage infiltrates in the central nervous system is a key feature of HIV encephalitis and is correlated with HIV-associated dementia. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that HIV-infected monocyte/macrophages can produce toxic substances that may play a critical role in the development of HIV-associated dementia. However, the exact mechanisms responsible for HIV infection and leukocyte recruitment to the central nervous system remain speculative. Similar to HIV-infected patients, simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaque monkeys develop immunosuppression and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related inflammatory disorders, including AIDS encephalitis. In this study, we demonstrate that encephalitic brain from SIV-infected animals has elevated immunohistochemical expression of the C-C chemokines, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha and -beta, RANTES, and monocyte chemotactic protein-3, and the C-X-C chemokine interferon-inducible protein-10. These findings suggest that one or all of of these chemokines could be involved in leukocyte recruitment to the brain in SIV-infected macaque monkeys.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗