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Biomedical subjects

Robert M Strieter

Publications and source records attributed to Robert M Strieter.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Depletion of CXCR2 inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis in a murine model of lung cancer.

The Glu-Leu-Arg(+) (ELR(+)) CXC chemokines are potent promoters of angiogenesis and have been demonstrated to induce a significant portion of nonsmall cell lung cancer-derived angiogenic activity and support tumorigenesis. ELR(+) CXC chemokines share a common chemokine receptor, CXCR2. We hypothesized that CXCR2 mediates the proangiogenic effects of ELR(+) CXC chemokines during tumorigenesis. To test this postulate, we used syngeneic murine Lewis lung cancer (LLC; 3LL, H-2(b)) heterotopic and orthotopic tumor model systems in C57BL/6 mice replete (CXCR2(+/+)) and deficient in CXCR2 (CXCR2(-/-)). We first demonstrated a correlation of the expression of endogenous ELR(+) CXC chemokines with tumor growth and metastatic potential of LLC tumors. Next, we found that LLC primary tumors were significantly reduced in growth in CXCR2(-/-) mice. Moreover, we found a marked reduction in the spontaneous metastases of heterotopic tumors to the lungs of CXCR2(-/-) mice. Morphometric analysis of the primary tumors in CXCR2(-/-) mice demonstrated increased necrosis and reduced vascular density. These findings were further confirmed in CXCR2(+/+) mice using specific neutralizing Abs to CXCR2. The results of these studies support the notion that CXCR2 mediates the angiogenic activity of ELR(+) CXC chemokines in a preclinical model of lung cancer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

CXC chemokines in angiogenesis of cancer.

The CXC chemokine family are unique cytokines known for their ability to have dual functions in the regulation of angiogenesis related to the following: (1) the presence or absence of the structural/functional motif (Glutamic acid-Leucine-Arginine; 'ELR' motif) that immediately precedes the first cysteine amino acid residue in the primary structure of these chemokines; (2) interferon-inducible gene expression; and (3) specific receptor interaction on endothelial cells. In this review we will appraise the biology of these angiogenic and angiostatic CXC chemokines, and discuss their disparate angiogenic activity in the context of the pathogenesis of cancer.

Chemokines, CXC↗

Contrasting roles for CXCR2 during experimental colitis.

Neutrophil recruitment into the colon is believed to play a crucial pathogenic role in the progression of clinical and experimental inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). The chemokine receptor CXCR2 is highly expressed on neutrophils, and promotes neutrophil recruitment in several inflammatory diseases. The present study determined the biological role of CXCR2 during trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in the rat by assessing effects of CXCR2 antibody neutralization on neutrophil accumulation during the early (8 h) and late phase (day 7) of TNBS-induced colitis. CXCR2 expression was elevated (>3-fold above control) within 8 h and remained elevated to day 7 of colitis induction, in parallel with significant increases in neutrophil infiltration. Treatment of colitic rats with a single dose of CXCR2 neutralizing antibody significantly reduced colonic neutrophil accumulation during the early (8 h) phase of TNBS-induced colitis. However, chronic administration of CXCR2 antibody did not reduce colonic neutrophil accumulation during the late phase (day 7) of TNBS-induced colitis. In summary, the present findings suggest a functional role for CXCR2 in initiating neutrophil recruitment during the early phase of TNBS-induced acute colitis, and demonstrate that: early colonic neutrophil accumulation is CXCR2 dependent and the late phase colonic neutrophil accumulation is CXCR2 independent.

Animals↗

Circulating fibrocytes traffic to the lungs in response to CXCL12 and mediate fibrosis.

Previous reports have identified a circulating pool of CD45(+) collagen I(+) CXCR4(+) (CD45(+)Col I(+)CXCR4(+)) cells, termed fibrocytes, that traffic to areas of fibrosis. No studies have demonstrated that these cells actually contribute to fibrosis, however. Pulmonary fibrosis was originally thought to be mediated solely by resident lung fibroblasts. Here we show that a population of human CD45(+)Col I(+)CXCR4(+) circulating fibrocytes migrates in response to CXCL12 and traffics to the lungs in a murine model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Next, we demonstrated that murine CD45(+)Col I(+)CXCR4(+) fibrocytes also traffic to the lungs in response to a bleomycin challenge. Maximal intrapulmonary recruitment of CD45(+)Col I(+)CXCR4(+) fibrocytes directly correlated with increased collagen deposition in the lungs. Treatment of bleomycin-exposed animals with specific neutralizing anti-CXCL12 Ab's inhibited intrapulmonary recruitment of CD45(+)Col I(+)CXCR4(+) circulating fibrocytes and attenuated lung fibrosis. Thus, our results demonstrate, we believe for the first time, that circulating fibrocytes contribute to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.

Actins↗

Innate immunity dictates cytokine polarization relevant to the development of pulmonary fibrosis.

New data support the importance of the innate immune response in the resolution or progression of pulmonary fibrosis. The presence of CXC chemokine receptor 3-expressing cells, specifically pulmonary NK cells, is necessary to produce IFN-gamma. This is critical in the polarization of the immune response to injury toward a favorable Th1 response and resolution. In contrast, a Th2 response is associated with progressive fibrosis.

Animals↗

CXC chemokines: angiogenesis, immunoangiostasis, and metastases in lung cancer.

CXC chemokines have been found to be important in the regulation of angiogenesis and tumor-related immunity, and in promoting organ-specific metastases. This review highlights the importance of CXC chemokine ligands and receptors in mediating non-small cell lung cancer tumor-associated angiogenesis, "immunoangiostasis," and organ-specific metastases. These findings may ultimately lead to clinical strategies to target CXC chemokines in non-small cell lung cancer.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Chemokines: angiogenesis and metastases in lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastases to specific organs is dependent on an orchestrated series of events that include: cellular transformation; establishment of a pro-angiogenic environment; tumour cell proliferation, invasion and entry into the circulation; and tumour cell trafficking and metastatic tumour growth in specific organs based on the concept of Paget's theory of 'seed and soil' related to homing of tumour cells to a specific organ. The events that destine a tumour cell to invade and metastasize to distant organs are analogous to leukocyte trafficking. Chemokines have had an increasingly important role in mediating the homing of leukocytes under both conditions of homeostasis and inflammatory/immunological responses. Recently, the biology of chemokines has extended beyond their role in mediating leukocyte trafficking. Specifically, CXC chemokines have been found to be important in the regulation of angiogenesis, and in promoting tumour cell migration and organ-specific metastases. Data will be presented to highlight the importance of CXC chemokine ligands and receptors in mediating NSCLC tumour-associated angiogenesis, 'immunoangiostasis', and organ specific metastases. These findings may ultimately lead to clinical strategies to attenuate the pathobiology of CXC chemokines in promoting NSCLC tumour growth and metastases.

Animals↗

EBV-induced molecule 1 ligand chemokine (ELC/CCL19) promotes IFN-gamma-dependent antitumor responses in a lung cancer model.

The antitumor efficacy of EBV-induced molecule 1 ligand CC chemokine (ELC/CCL19) was evaluated in a murine lung cancer model. The ability of ELC/CCL19 to chemoattract both dendritic cells and T lymphocytes formed the rationale for this study. Compared with diluent-treated tumor-bearing mice, intratumoral injection of recombinant ELC/CCL19 led to significant systemic reduction in tumor volumes (p < 0.01). ELC/CCL19-treated mice exhibited an increased influx of CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets as well as dendritic cells at the tumor sites. These cell infiltrates were accompanied by increases in IFN-gamma, MIG/CXCL9, IP-10/CXCL10, GM-CSF, and IL-12 but a concomitant decrease in the immunosuppressive molecules PGE(2) and TGFbeta. Transfer of T lymphocytes from ELC/CCL19 treated tumor-bearing mice conferred the antitumor therapeutic efficacy of ELC/CCL19 to naive mice. ELC/CCL19 treated tumor-bearing mice showed enhanced frequency of tumor specific T lymphocytes secreting IFN-gamma. In vivo depletion of IFN-gamma, MIG/CXCL9, or IP-10/CXCL10 significantly reduced the antitumor efficacy of ELC/CCL19. These findings provide a strong rationale for further evaluation of ELC/CCL19 in tumor immunity and its use in cancer immunotherapy.

Adoptive Transfer↗

Celecoxib modulates the capacity for prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-10 production in alveolar macrophages from active smokers.

PURPOSE: Preclinical data suggest that the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2/prostaglandin (PG) E2 signaling pathway plays an essential role in conferring the malignant phenotype in non-small cell lung cancer. We hypothesized that treatment with oral celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, would favorably alter biomarkers of lung cancer risk. This study evaluated the feasibility of COX-2 inhibition as a form of chemoprevention for lung cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Heavy active smokers were enrolled into a pilot study and treated with celecoxib. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage was performed both before and after 1 month of celecoxib treatment to recover alveolar macrophages (AMs) and lining fluid for study. After harvest, AMs were immediately stimulated in vitro with the calcium ionophore A23187. AMs obtained from smokers before treatment and from nonsmoking control subjects were also cultured overnight with SC58236, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, with or without lipopolysaccharide stimulation. RESULTS: Treatment with celecoxib significantly reduced calcium ionophore-stimulated PGE2 production from AMs recovered from smokers. AMs recovered from smokers, but not nonsmokers, were primed to produce high levels of PGE2 and interleukin (IL-10) when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, and SC58236 significantly abrogated the production of these factors. Moreover, both plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from treated subjects significantly reduced the production of PGE2 that resulted when a lung cancer cell line, A549, was stimulated with IL-1beta or A23187. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that oral celecoxib is capable of inhibiting the overproduction of PGE2, as well as modulating the production of IL-10 in the lung microenvironment in individuals at risk for lung cancer.

Aged↗

Interleukin-7 gene-modified dendritic cells reduce pulmonary tumor burden in spontaneous murine bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma.

The antitumor efficiency of dendritic cells transduced with an adenovirus vector expressing interleukin (IL)-7 (DC-AdIL-7) was evaluated in a murine model of spontaneous bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma. These transgenic mice (CC-10 TAg), expressing the SV40 large T antigen under the Clara cell promoter, develop bilateral multifocal pulmonary adenocarcinomas and die at 4 months as a result of progressive pulmonary tumor burden. Injection of DC-AdIL-7 in the axillary lymph node region (ALNR) weekly for 3 weeks led to a marked reduction in tumor burden with extensive lymphocytic infiltration of the tumors and enhanced survival. The antitumor responses were accompanied by the enhanced elaboration of interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-12 as well as an increase in the antiangiogenic chemokines, IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10) and monokine induced by IFN-gamma (MIG/CXCL9). In contrast, production of the immunosuppressive mediators IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and the proangiogenic modulator vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) decreased in response to DC-AdIL-7 treatment. Significant reduction in tumor burden in a model in which tumors develop in an organ-specific manner provides a strong rationale for further evaluation of DC-AdIL-7 in regulation of tumor immunity and its use in lung cancer genetic immunotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar↗

Role of CXCL9/CXCR3 chemokine biology during pathogenesis of acute lung allograft rejection.

Acute allograft rejection is a major complication postlung transplantation and is the main risk factor for the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Acute rejection is characterized by intragraft infiltration of activated mononuclear cells. The ELR-negative CXC chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11) are potent chemoattractants for mononuclear cells and act through their shared receptor, CXCR3. Elevated levels of these chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid have been associated with human acute lung allograft rejection. This led to the hypothesis that the expression of these chemokines during an allogeneic response promotes the recruitment of mononuclear cells, leading to acute lung allograft rejection. We performed studies in a rat orthotopic lung transplantation model of acute rejection, and demonstrated increased expression of CXCL9 and CXCL10 paralleling the recruitment of mononuclear cells and cells expressing CXCR3 to the allograft. However, CXCL9 levels were 15-fold greater than CXCL10 during maximal rejection. Inhibition of CXCL9 decreased intragraft recruitment of mononuclear cells and cellular expression of CXCR3, resulting in lower acute lung allograft rejection scores. Furthermore, the combination of low dose cyclosporin A with anti-CXCL9 therapy had more profound effects on intragraft leukocyte infiltration and in reducing acute allograft rejection scores. This supports the notion that CXCL9 interaction with cells expressing CXCR3 has an important role in the recruitment of mononuclear cells, a pivotal event in the pathogenesis of acute lung allograft rejection.

Acute Disease↗

Immunomodulatory role of CXCR2 during experimental septic peritonitis.

The loss of CXCR2 expression by neutrophils is a well-described, but poorly understood, consequence of clinical sepsis. To address the potential impact of this CXCR2 deficit during the septic response, we examined the role of CXCR2 in a murine model of septic peritonitis provoked by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). CLP-induced mouse mortality was significantly attenuated with i.v. or i.p. administration of an affinity-purified murine CXCR2-specific polyclonal Ab. Mouse survival required Ab administration before and every 2 days following CLP. Furthermore, mice deficient in CXCR2 (CXCR2(-/-)) were significantly protected against CLP-induced mortality compared with control (CXCR2(+/+)) mice. The anti-CXCR2 Ab treatment delayed, but did not completely inhibit, the recruitment of leukocytes, specifically neutrophils, into the peritoneal cavity. Peritoneal macrophages from anti-CXCR2 Ab-treated mice exhibited markedly increased RNA and protein levels of several key proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Specifically, isolated preparations of these cells released approximately 11-fold more CXCL10 protein compared with peritoneal macrophages from control-treated or naive mice. CXCR2(-/-) mice had higher resting and CLP-induced levels of peritoneal CXCL10 compared with CXCR2(+/+) mice. Administration of a neutralizing, affinity-purified, murine CXCL10-specific polyclonal Ab before CLP in wild-type mice and every 2 days after surgery significantly increased mortality compared with control Ab-treated mice. Anti-CXCL10 treatment in CXCR2(-/-) mice negated the protective effect associated with the absence of CXCR2. In summary, these data demonstrate that the absence of CXCR2 protects mice from septic injury potentially by delaying inflammatory cell recruitment and enhancing CXCL10 expression in the peritoneum.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

SLC/CCL21-mediated anti-tumor responses require IFNgamma, MIG/CXCL9 and IP-10/CXCL10.

BACKGROUND: SLC/CCL21, normally expressed in high endothelial venules and in T cell zones of spleen and lymph nodes, strongly attracts T cells and dendritic cells (DC). We have previously shown that SLC/CCL21-mediated anti-tumor responses are accompanied by significant induction of IFNgamma and the CXC chemokines, monokine induced by IFNgamma (MIG/CXCL9) and IFNgamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10/CXCL10). RESULTS: We assessed the importance of IFNgamma, IP-10/CXCL10 and MIG/CXCL9 in SLC/CCL21 therapy. In vivo depletion of IP-10/CXCL10, MIG/CXCL9 or IFNgamma significantly reduced the anti-tumor efficacy of SLC/CCL21. Assessment of cytokine production at the tumor site showed an interdependence of IFNgamma, MIG/CXCL9 and IP-10/CXCL10; neutralization of any one of these cytokines caused a concomitant decrease in all three cytokines. Similarly, neutralization of any one of these cytokines led to a decrease in the frequency of CXCR3+ve T cells and CD11c+ve DC at the tumor site. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the full potency of SLC/CCL21-mediated anti-tumor responses require in part the induction of IFNgamma, MIG/CXCL9 and IP-10/CXCL10.

Animals↗

Elevated serum levels of the CXCR3 chemokine ITAC are associated with the development of transplant coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Human and animal studies of acute allograft rejection have implicated CCR5 and CXCR3 chemokines as causative factors. However these chemokines have not been assessed in transplant coronary artery disease (TCAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum levels of chemokines were measured by ELISA. Levels of ITAC/CXCL11 were found to be elevated in patients with severe TCAD compared with long-term survivors of transplantation without TCAD and with healthy volunteers who had not undergone transplantation (1.476+/-0.274 ng/mL, 0.926+/-0.466 ng/mL, and 0.741+/-0.321 ng/mL, respectively; P<0.05 for all comparisons to TCAD group). Immunohistochemical localization confirmed the presence of CXCR3+ mononuclear cells within lesions and the presence of the ligand, ITAC/CXCL11, on the surface of endothelial cells associated with TCAD. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated peripheral blood levels of the CXCR3 chemokine ITAC/CXCL11 are associated with severe TCAD and may serve as a marker for patients at increased risk for the development of this disease. Immunohistochemical localization of the CXCR3 chemokine ligand ITAC/CXCL11 on the endothelial surface of TCAD lesions with underlying infiltration of inflammatory mononuclear cells expressing CXCR3 suggests a causative role for this chemokine in the development of TCAD. The present study is one of the first to demonstrate a role for ITAC/CXCL11 in this disease.

Adult↗

CXCR2 regulates respiratory syncytial virus-induced airway hyperreactivity and mucus overproduction.

Severe inflammation and mucus overproduction are partially responsible for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced disease in infants. Using a murine model, we characterized the virally induced chemokine receptors responsible for mediating the pathophysiological response to RSV infection, we found that CXCR2 mRNA was induced at 4 days after RSV infection. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that CXCR2 protein was expressed on alveolar macrophages. Immunoneutralization of CXCR2 resulted in decreased airway hyperreactivity relative to the RSV-infected controls. In addition, there was decreased mucus in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, decreased periodic-acid Schiff staining, and significantly less mucus-associated gob-5 mRNA and protein in anti-CXCR2-treated mice. The effects of anti-CXCR2 treatment were not a result of differences in viral clearance or neutrophil influx, as these parameters were comparable in both groups of animals. To confirm our immunoneutralization studies, we performed experiments in CXCR2(-/-) mice. Results in CXCR2(-/-) mice recapitulated results from our immunoneutralization studies. However, CXCR2(-/-) mice also showed a statistically significant decrease in muc5ac, relative to RSV-infected wild-type animals. Thus, CXCR2 may be a relevant target in the pathogenesis of RSV bronchiolitis, since it contributes to mucus production and airway hyperreactivity in our model of RSV infection.

Animals↗

The stromal derived factor-1/CXCL12-CXC chemokine receptor 4 biological axis in non-small cell lung cancer metastases.

Non-small cell lung cancer is characterized by a specific metastatic pattern. The mechanism for organ-specific metastasis is poorly understood, although evidence has suggested that the chemokine stromal derived factor-1 (CXCL12) and its cognate receptor CXCR4 may regulate breast cancer metastasis. We hypothesized that the CXCL12-CXCR4 biological axis is important in mediating non-small cell lung cancer metastases. Our results indicate that both non-small cell lung cancer tumor specimens resected from patients and non-small cell lung cancer cell lines express CXCR4, but not CXCL12. Non-small cell lung cancer cell lines undergo chemotaxis in response to CXCL12. CXCL12-CXCR4 activation of non-small cell lung cancer cell lines showed intracellular calcium mobilization and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation with enhanced extracellular signal-related kinase-1/2 phosphorylation without change in either proliferation or apoptosis. Target organs in a murine model that are the preferred destination of human non-small cell lung cancer metastases elaborate higher levels of CXCL12 than does the primary tumor, and suggest the generation of chemotactic gradients. The administration of specific neutralizing anti-CXCL12 antibodies to severe combined immunodeficient mice expressing human non-small cell lung cancer abrogated organ metastases, without affecting primary tumor-derived angiogenesis. These data suggest that the CXCL12-CXCR4 biological axis is involved in regulating the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer.

Animals↗