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Biomedical subjects

M Baggiolini

Publications and source records attributed to M Baggiolini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Human chondrocytes express functional chemokine receptors and release matrix-degrading enzymes in response to C-X-C and C-C chemokines.

OBJECTIVE: Human chondrocytes produce different C-X-C and C-C chemokines under basal conditions and upon activation with proinflammatory cytokines. We investigated whether human chondrocytes also have chemokine receptors and examined the effects of chemokines on chondrocyte activity. METHODS: The expression of chemokine receptors was determined by immunochemical analysis of frozen sections from normal and osteoarthritic cartilage and by flow cytometry of isolated cells. The messenger RNA expression for chemokine receptors was studied by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Isolated chondrocytes were stimulated with different chemokines, and the responses were evaluated by assaying the release of matrix metalloprotease 3 (MMP-3) and of the lysosomal enzyme N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase in the supernatants. RESULTS: A wide variety of chemokine receptors (CCR-1, CCR-2, CCR-3, CCR-5, CXCR-1, and CXCR-2) was detected on human chondrocytes. Interaction of these receptors with the corresponding ligands induced the release of MMP-3. This response was abrogated by pretreatment of the cells with Bordetella pertussis toxin, demonstrating involvement of G proteins of the Gi type. The response decreased in the presence of cycloheximide, indicating dependence on protein synthesis. Chemokines also induced the exocytosis of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, which was prevented by receptor blockage with anti-CCR-3 and by treatment with B pertussis toxin. Chondrocytes obtained from osteoarthritic tissue showed an increased expression of CCR-3 and possibly of CXCR-1, and an augmented release of matrix-degrading enzymes compared with chondrocytes from normal donors. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the existence in human chondrocytes of a novel catabolic pathway, primed by chemokines and their receptors, that leads to the breakdown of cartilage matrix components.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Chemokines in inflammation and immunity.

Since the discovery of interleukin 8 (IL-8), about 50 chemokines have been characterized. Originally, they were considered as inducible mediators of inflammation, but in recent years, several chemokines have been identified that are expressed constitutively and function in the physiological traffic and homing of leukocytes.

Animals↗

International union of pharmacology. XXII. Nomenclature for chemokine receptors.

Chemokine receptors comprise a large family of seven transmembrane domain G protein-coupled receptors differentially expressed in diverse cell types. Biological activities have been most clearly defined in leukocytes, where chemokines coordinate development, differentiation, anatomic distribution, trafficking, and effector functions and thereby regulate innate and adaptive immune responses. Pharmacological analysis of chemokine receptors is at an early stage of development. Disease indications have been established in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome and in Plasmodium vivax malaria, due to exploitation of CCR5 and Duffy, respectively, by the pathogen for cell entry. Additional indications are emerging among inflammatory and immunologically mediated diseases, but selection of targets in this area still remains somewhat speculative. Small molecule antagonists with nanomolar affinity have been reported for 7 of the 18 known chemokine receptors but have not yet been studied in clinical trials. Virally encoded chemokine receptors, as well as chemokine agonists and antagonists, and chemokine scavengers have been identified in medically important poxviruses and herpesviruses, again underscoring the importance of the chemokine system in microbial pathogenesis and possibly identifying specific strategies for modulating chemokine action therapeutically. The purpose of this review is to update current concepts of the biology and pharmacology of the chemokine system, to summarize key information about each chemokine receptor, and to describe a widely accepted receptor nomenclature system, ratified by the International Union of Pharmacology, that is facilitating clear communication in this area.

Animals↗

Cutting edge: RANTES regulates Fas ligand expression and killing by HIV-specific CD8 cytotoxic T cells.

Based on the previous observation that RANTES mediates the cytotoxic activity of human HIV-specific CD8+ T cells via the chemokine receptor CCR3, we studied the effect of this chemokine on different effector CD8+ cytolytic cells requiring Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) or perforin-dependent pathway. In CTLs derived from PBMCs of HIV-infected patients, both the spontaneous and the RANTES-induced cytotoxicity were inhibited by anti-FasL neutralizing Abs. In contrast, allogeneic CTLs or NK cells killing through perforin were not affected by RANTES and anti-FasL Ab. Accordingly, RANTES enhanced the expression of FasL in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in HIV-specific CTLs, whereas anti-RANTES Ab decreased markedly FasL expression. Finally, cell surface expression of FasL protein in HIV-specific CTLs was also up-regulated by eotaxin, a selective ligand for CCR3. Our observations show that the action of RANTES via CCR3 is necessary to regulate FasL expression on HIV-specific CD8+ T cells that kill through the Fas/FasL pathway.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Acquired constitutive expression of interferon beta after gene transduction enhances human immunodeficiency virus type 1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity by a RANTES-dependent mechanism.

CTL lines directed against HIV-1 antigens were generated from infected individuals and were transduced by the HMB-K(b)HuIFNbeta vector, resulting in low, constitutive expression of interferon beta (IFN-beta). The IFN-beta-transduced cells showed markedly increased HIV-1-specific, MHC class I-restricted CTL activity against HIV-1-LAI Gag, Pol, or Env antigens. This effect of IFN-beta was correlated with an overexpression of RANTES and completely abrogated by RANTES-blocking antibody. The present results provide the first evidence that IFN-beta transduction of CTL lines enhances HIV-specific cytotoxic activities through an upregulation of RANTES production. The efficient elimination of HIV-infected cells by IFN-beta-transduced CTL lines makes this gene therapy approach an attractive treatment for AIDS.

Chemokine CCL5↗

Disulfide bridges in interleukin-8 probed using non-natural disulfide analogues: dissociation of roles in structure from function.

The structural and functional roles of the two disulfide bridges in interleukin-8 (IL-8) were addressed using IL-8 analogues with covalently modified disulfide bridges. The analogues were prepared using chemical synthesis by replacement of a cysteine for either homocysteine, penicillamine, or selenocysteine and on folding resulted in a covalently modified disulfide. Deletion of either of the two disulfide bridges by replacement of either cysteine pair with alanine resulted in loss of both structure and function. In contrast, all of the analogues with modified disulfide bridges had native tertiary fold as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic methods. Their structural similarity provided a rational basis for assessing the functional effects of the changes to the disulfide. Modification to the disulfide bridge between cysteines 9 and 50 had only a modest effect on IL-8 function. In contrast, alterations to the 7-34 disulfide bridge resulted in a dramatic reduction in biological potency. Thus, although both disulfide bridges are required for maintenance of the native tertiary fold, their role in determining IL-8 activity is distinct. We propose that 7-34 disulfide has a direct role in determining receptor binding and activation, whereas the 9-50 was not directly involved. The synthesis of non-natural disulfide analogues is a novel general approach to structure-activity relationships of disulfide bridges. The demonstration that the participation of disulfide bridges in function can be dissociated from their effects on the stability of the tertiary structure suggests that this method will lead to increased understanding of the roles of disulfide bridges in proteins.

Antigens, CD↗

The human serum deprivation response gene (SDPR) maps to 2q32-q33 and codes for a phosphatidylserine-binding protein.

The serum deprivation response gene (SDPR, alias sdr) has been previously isolated for its high mRNA expression in serum-starved cells compared to contact-inhibited NIH3T3 cells; such regulation is not observed in single-oncogene transformed NIH3T3 cells after serum starvation. More recently Sdpr has been identified as a substrate of protein kinase C (PKC): this interaction determines the compartimentalization of PKC to caveolae, a plasma membrane invagination of which Sdpr is a major component. Lack of Sdpr-PKC interaction in transformed cells has been proposed to be involved in the alteration of PKC subcellular localization and substrate specificity. Here we report the cloning of the human SDPR homologue (HGMW-approved symbol SDPR) and its mapping to 2q32-q33 in the human genome. In analogy with the murine system, SDPR mRNA expression is increased when human fibroblasts are serum starved, it becomes down-regulated during synchronous cell-cycle reentry, but it is not induced in cells arrested by contact inhibition. Analysis of SDPR expression in human tissues reveals a near ubiquitous expression, with highest levels found in heart and lung. We show that human SDPR encodes PS-p68, a previously characterized phosphatidylserine-binding protein purified from human platelets. Accordingly, recombinant Sdpr is able to specifically bind phosphatidylserine in the absence of Ca2+. SDPR is homologous to two genes in the databank, one of which, srbc, is similarly regulated during growth arrest and encodes a phosphatidylserine-binding protein that is a substrate of PKC.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Increased expression of IP-10, IL-8, MCP-1, and MCP-3 in ulcerative colitis.

Chemokines are thought to be important for the recruitment of granulocytes and mononuclear cells and thus for the maintenance of inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC). We have studied the expression of interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10), interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, MCP-3, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha in UC patients and control individuals to assess the role of these chemokines in disease progression. Colonic biopsies were taken endoscopically from patients and controls, frozen immediately and subsequently stained for IP-10, IL-8, MCP-1, MCP-3, and MIP-1alpha in serial sections. Cells infiltrating the lamina propria but not epithelial cells express the analyzed chemokines. They were differentiated and counted, and chemokine-expressing cells were quantified by image analysis. The percentage of cells expressing IP-10, IL-8, MCP-1, and MCP-3 was significantly enhanced in all UC samples as compared to controls. Expression in the controls was borderline, except for IP-10. No expression of MIP-1alpha was found in controls and UC. IP-10 was also markedly expressed in the mucosa of control biopsies and therefore could have a role in activated T lymphocytes' recruitment into the healthy mucosa.

Adult↗

Enhanced expression of eotaxin and CCR3 in atopic dermatitis.

Chemokines are thought to play an important part in the development of inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Eotaxin, a CC chemokine, is a potent chemoattractant and activator of human eosinophils, basophils and Th2 lymphocytes which acts via the chemokine receptor CCR3. We studied the expression of eotaxin and CCR3, as well as MCP-3, MIP-1alpha and interleukin-8, in atopic dermatitis and normal skin by immunohistochemistry and nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Skin biopsy specimens were obtained from nonlesional and lesional skin of patients with atopic dermatitis and of nonatopic controls. Immunoreactivity and transcripts of eotaxin and CCR3 were significantly increased in lesional skin from atopic dermatitis, but not in nonatopic controls. In nonlesional atopic dermatitis samples CCR3 expression was also significantly increased at the mRNA and protein level, whereas eotaxin was increased at the mRNA level only. No significant difference in the expression of MCP-3, MIP-1alpha, and interleukin-8 was observed between skin samples from atopic dermatitis and nonatopic controls. The enhanced local production of eotaxin may lead to the recruitment of eosinophils and T lymphocytes, which both express CCR3 and contribute to the initiation and maintenance of inflammation.

Adolescent↗

BCA-1 is highly expressed in Helicobacter pylori-induced mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue and gastric lymphoma.

Infection with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) induces the formation of lymphoid tissue in the stomach and the occasional development of primary gastric B-cell lymphomas. We have studied the expression of 2 chemokines that attract B lymphocytes, BCA-1 and SLC, in gastric tissue samples obtained from patients with chronic gastritis induced by Hp infection or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as from patients with Hp-associated low-grade and high-grade gastric lymphomas. High-level expression of BCA-1 and its receptor, CXCR5, was observed in all mucosal lymphoid aggregates and in the mantle zone of all secondary lymphoid follicles in Hp-induced gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Follicular dendritic cells and B lymphocytes are possible sources of BCA-1, which is not expressed by T lymphocytes, macrophages, or CD1a(+) dendritic cells. Strong expression of BCA-1 and CXCR5 was also detected in the transformed B cells of gastric MALT lymphomas. By contrast, SLC was confined almost exclusively to endothelial cells in and outside the lymphoid tissue. Only scant, occasional SLC expression was observed in the marginal zone of MALT follicles. Our findings indicate that BCA-1, which functions as a homing chemokine in normal lymphoid tissue, is induced in chronic Hp gastritis and is involved in the formation of lymphoid follicles and gastric lymphomas of the MALT type.

Aged↗

N-terminal peptides of stromal cell-derived factor-1 with CXC chemokine receptor 4 agonist and antagonist activities.

Peptides corresponding to the N-terminal 9 residues of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) have SDF-1 activity. SDF-1, 1-8, 1-9, 1-9 dimer, and 1-17 induced intracellular calcium and chemotaxis in T lymphocytes and CEM cells and bound to CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). The peptides had similar activities to SDF-1 but were less potent. Whereas native SDF-1 had half-maximal chemoattractant activity at 5 nM, the 1-9 dimer required 500 nM and was therefore 100-fold less potent. The 1-17 and a 1-9 monomer analog were 4- and 36-fold, respectively, less potent than the 1-9 dimer. Both the chemotactic and calcium response of the 1-9 dimer was inhibited by an antibody to CXCR4. The basis for the enhanced activity of the dimer form of SDF-1, 1-9 is uncertain, but it could involve an additional fortuitous binding site on the 1-9 peptide in addition to the normal SDF-1, 1-9 site. A 1-9 analog, 1-9[P2G] dimer, was found to be a CXCR4 antagonist. Overall this study shows that the N-terminal peptides are CXCR4 agonists or antagonists, and these could be leads for high affinity ligands.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

HIV-specific T cell cytotoxicity mediated by RANTES via the chemokine receptor CCR3.

CC chemokines produced by CD8(+) T cells are known to act as HIV-suppressive factors. We studied the possible role of these chemokines in HIV-1-specific killing of target cells. We found that the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in CTL lines or freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-1-infected individuals is markedly enhanced by RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) and virtually abolished by an antibody neutralizing RANTES or the RANTES receptor antagonist RANTES(9-68). Lysis was mediated by CD8(+) major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted T cells and was obtained with target cells expressing epitopes of the HIV-1LAI proteins Gag, Pol, Env, and Nef. The cytolytic activity observed in the presence or absence of added RANTES could be abolished by pretreatment of the CTLs with pertussis toxin, indicating that the effect is mediated by a G protein-coupled receptor. The chemokines monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-3, MCP-4, and eotaxin acted like RANTES, whereas macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, MIP-1beta, MCP-1, and stromal cell-derived factor 1 were inactive, suggesting a role for the eotaxin receptor, CCR3, and ruling out the involvement of CCR1, CCR2, CCR5, and CXCR4. CTL activity was abrogated by an antibody that blocks CCR3, further indicating that specific lysis is triggered via this chemokine receptor. These observations reveal a novel mechanism for the induction of HIV-1-specific cytotoxicity that depends on RANTES acting via CCR3.

Cell Line↗

HCC-2, a human chemokine: gene structure, expression pattern, and biological activity.

Cloning and sequencing of the upstream region of the gene of the CC chemokine HCC-1 led to the discovery of an adjacent gene coding for a CC chemokine that was named "HCC-2." The two genes are separated by 12-kbp and reside in a head-to-tail orientation on chromosome 17. At variance with the genes for HCC-1 and other human CC chemokines, which have a three-exon-two-intron structure, the HCC-2 gene consists of four exons and three introns. Expression of HCC-2 and HCC-1 as studied by Northern analysis revealed, in addition to the regular, monocistronic mRNAs, a common, bicistronic transcript. In contrast to HCC-1, which is expressed constitutively in numerous human tissues, HCC-2 is expressed only in the gut and the liver. HCC-2 shares significant sequence homology with CKbeta8 and the murine chemokines C10, CCF18/MRP-2, and macrophage inflammatory protein 1gamma, which all contain six instead of four conserved cysteines. The two additional cysteines of HCC-2 form a third disulfide bond, which anchors the COOH-terminal domain to the core of the molecule. Highly purified recombinant HCC-2 was tested on neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes and was found to exhibit marked functional similarities to macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha. It is a potent chemoattractant and inducer of enzyme release in monocytes and a moderately active attractant for eosinophils. Desensitization studies indicate that HCC-2 acts mainly via CC chemokine receptor CCR1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Chemokines and leukocyte traffic.

Over the past ten years, numerous chemokines have been identified as attractants of different types of blood leukocytes to sites of infection and inflammation. They are produced locally in the tissues and act on leukocytes through selective receptors. Chemokines are now known to also function as regulatory molecules in leukocyte maturation, traffic and homing of lymphocytes, and the development of lymphoid tissues.

Chemokines↗

B cell-attracting chemokine 1, a human CXC chemokine expressed in lymphoid tissues, selectively attracts B lymphocytes via BLR1/CXCR5.

Although most leukocytes, T lymphocytes in particular, respond to several different chemokines, there is virtually no information on chemokine activities and chemokine receptors in B lymphocytes. A putative chemokine receptor, BLR1, that is expressed in Burkitt's lymphoma cells and B lymphocytes was cloned a few years ago. Deletion of the gene for BLR1 yielded mice with abnormal primary follicles and germinal centers of the spleen and Peyer's patches, reflecting the inability of B lymphocytes to migrate into B cell areas. By screening expressed sequence tag DNA sequences, we have identified a CXC chemokine, termed B cell-attracting chemokine 1 (BCA-1), that is chemotactic for human B lymphocytes. BCA-1 cDNA encodes a protein of 109 amino acids with a leader sequence of 22 residues. The mature protein shares 23-34% identical amino acids with known CXC chemokines and is constitutively expressed in secondary lymphoid organs. BCA-1 was chemically synthesized and tested for activity on murine pre-B cells 300-19 transfected with BLR1 and on human blood B lymphocytes. In transfected cells, BCA-1 induced chemotaxis and Ca2+ mobilization demonstrating that it acts via BLR1. Under the same conditions, no activity was obtained with 10 CXC and 19 CC chemokines, lymphotactin, neurotactin/fractalkine and several other peptide ligands. BCA-1 was also a highly effective attractant for human blood B lymphocytes (which express BLR1), but was inactive on freshly isolated or IL-2-stimulated T lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils. In agreement with the nomenclature rules for chemokine receptors, we propose the term CXCR5 for BLR1. Together with the observed disturbance of B cell colonization in BLR1/ CXCR5-deficient mice, the present results indicate that chemotactic recruitment by locally produced BCA-1 is important for the development of B cell areas of secondary lymphoid tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

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

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) 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 alpha (GRO alpha). At 10 nM and higher concentrations, GCP-2 and IL-8 induced significant activation of CXCR1-expressing cells, but no activity was found with GRO alpha 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 GRO alpha. 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.

Amino Acid Sequence↗