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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Chemokine receptor CCR2 involvement in skeletal muscle regeneration.

Chemokines, signaling through the CCR2 receptor, are highly expressed in injured skeletal muscle. Their target specificity depends on the cellular expression of the specific receptors. Here we demonstrate that, in freeze-injured muscle, CCR2 co-localized with Mac-3, a marker of activated macrophages as well as with myogenin, a marker of activated muscle precursor cells. The degeneration/regeneration process in skeletal muscle of CCR2-/- and wild-type mice was not significantly different at day 3. However in contrast to the regenerated muscle of the wild-type mice, the muscle from CCR2-/- mice was characterized by impaired regeneration, inflammation, and fibrotic response at day 14, increased fat infiltration, fibrosis, and calcification at day 21, and impaired strength recovery until at least 28 days post-injury. Consistently, the increased expression of Mac-1 and TNF-alpha was prolonged in the injured muscle of CCR2-/- mice. The expression pattern of the myogenic factors MyoD and myogenin was similar for both types of mice, while NCAM, which is associated with the initiation of fusion of muscle precursor cells, was more increased in the injured muscle of CCR2-/- mice. In conclusion, the study delineates that signaling through CCR2 is involved in muscle precursor cell activities necessary for complete and rapid regeneration of injured skeletal muscle.

Adipose Tissue↗

Characterization of the CCR2 chemokine receptor: functional CCR2 receptor expression in B cells.

We have derived anti-human CCR2-specific mAbs by immunization with synthetic peptides corresponding to CCR2 sequences presumably involved in the interaction with its ligand(s). The characterization of these mAbs includes the ability to recognize the CCR2 receptor specifically, as well as the function based on their ability to promote Ca2+ influx or to block MCP-1-induced Ca2+ influx and chemotaxis. One mAb (MCP-1 R02) that is directed to the NH2 terminal domain of the CCR2 receptor has MCP-1 agonist activity, and two that recognize the third extracellular domain (MCP-1R04 and MCP-1 R05) have MCP-1 antagonist activity. We analyzed the presence of CCR2 in several PBL and tonsil-derived leukocyte populations and found expression of this receptor in monocytes, activated T cells, and, surprisingly, in B cells. CCR2 receptor expression in B cells was further corroborated in Southern blot using CCR2-specific probes. Moreover, both MCP-1 and the agonist mAb trigger specific B cell migration via a PTX-sensitive mechanism, indicating the presence of a functional CCR2 receptor in these cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Isolation and structures of novel fungal metabolites as chemokine receptor (CCR2) antagonists.

The chemokine receptor, CCR2, is predominantly expressed on monocytes/macrophages, and on a subset of memory T cells. It binds to several CC type chemokines of the monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP) family of which MCP-1 exhibits the highest affinity. CCR2/MCP-1 expression/association in monocyte/macrophage/T cells has been associated with inflammatory processes such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and atherosclerosis. Neutralization of CCR2 with either a peptide or receptor antagonist results in the prevention of joint swelling in rodent models of arthritis. In this paper, bioassay-guided discovery of CCR2 receptor antagonists derived from natural product extracts are reported. These antagonists belong to two main classes exemplified by bisthiodiketopiperazines and cytochalasins. Six compounds, including emestrin, two new emestrin analogs, and chaetomin represent the first group of compounds. These compounds inhibited the binding of MCP-1 to CCR2 (CHO membrane) with IC50 values of 0.8 to 9 microM and exhibited good activity in a whole cell assay using MCP-1 and human monocytes with IC50's ranging from 4-9 microM. Cytochalasins A and B represented the second group and inhibited the binding activity with IC50 values of 5 and 188 microM, respectively. This is the first report of natural product antagonists of the CCR2 receptor.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Impaired neuropathic pain responses in mice lacking the chemokine receptor CCR2.

Mice lacking the chemokine receptor chemotactic cytokine receptor 2 (CCR2) have a marked attenuation of monocyte recruitment in response to various inflammatory stimuli and a reduction of inflammatory lesions in models of demyelinating disease. In the present study, we compared nociceptive responses in inflammatory and neuropathic models of pain in CCR2 knockout and wild-type mice. In acute pain tests, responses were equivalent in CCR2 knockout and wild-type mice. In models of inflammatory pain, CCR2 knockout mice showed a 70% reduction in phase 2 of the intraplantar formalin-evoked pain response but only a modest (20-30%) and nonsignificant reduction of mechanical allodynia after intraplantar Freund's adjuvant (CFA). In a model of neuropathic pain, the development of mechanical allodynia was totally abrogated in CCR2 knockout mice. CFA administration induced marked up-regulation of CCR2 mRNA in the skin and a moderate increase in the sciatic nerve and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). In response to nerve ligation, persistent and marked up-regulation of CCR2 mRNA was evident in the nerve and DRG. Disruption of Schwann cells in response to nerve lesion resulted in infiltration of CCR2-positive monocytes/macrophages not only to the neuroma but also to the DRG. Chronic pain also resulted in the appearance of activated CCR2-positive microglia in the spinal cord. Collectively, these data suggest that the recruitment and activation of macrophages and microglia peripherally and in neural tissue may contribute to both inflammatory and neuropathic pain states. Accordingly, blockade of the CCR2 receptor may provide a novel therapeutic modality for the treatment of chronic pain.

Animals↗

Functional aberrant expression of CCR2 receptor on chronically activated NK cells in patients with TAP-2 deficiency.

Chemokines play a pivotal role in homeostatic and inflammatory migration of naive and activated natural killer (NK) subsets. Recent studies have shown that aberrant chemokine receptor expression on certain immune cells underlies the pathogenesis of clinical conditions in which recruitment of such cells is altered. Progressive accumulation of activated NK cells, subsequently resulting in the formation of chronic granulomatous lesions in the respiratory tract and the skin, has been described in a number of patients with transporter associated with antigen processing 2 (TAP-2) deficiency in the later stages of disease. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to elucidate whether the dysregulation of chemoattracting receptor expression on NK cells could explain abnormal navigation of these cells in TAP-2 deficiency. High-throughput proteomic comparison, followed by verification with flow cytometry, revealed that chronically activated NK cells derived from 3 newly identified patients with TAP-2 deficiency consistently expressed aberrant levels of CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) chemokine receptor in vitro and in vivo. This expression pattern translated into specific responsiveness of chronically activated NK cells derived from patients with TAP-2 deficiency to multiple ligands of CCR2. Moreover, the in vivo elevated levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) detected in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage samples derived from these patients highlight the potential involvement of the CCR2 pathway in aberrant NK-cell retention at chronic inflammatory sites.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

MCP-1 chemokine receptor CCR2 is decreased on circulating monocytes in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS).

Recent studies suggest that monocyte activation may play a role in ALS pathogenesis. Therefore, monocyte CCR2, the receptor for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and plasma levels of MCP-1 were measured in 42 sALS patients, 38 healthy and 34 age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) controls. MCP-1 was elevated in both sALS and ARMD patients, but CCR2 levels were significantly decreased on sALS but not on ARMD monocytes. Loss of monocyte CCR2 expression was inversely correlated with degree of monocyte/macrophage activation in sALS and this decrease was unlikely due to receptor down-regulation given the ARMD results. Defective monocyte/macrophages may play an active role in sALS.

Aged↗

Diaryl substituted pyrazoles as potent CCR2 receptor antagonists.

We have identified and synthesized a series of diaryl substituted pyrazoles as potent antagonists of the chemokine receptor subtype 2. Structure-activity relationship studies directed toward improving the potency led to the discovery of 23 (IC50 = 6 nM).

Chemotaxis↗

Induction of MCP-1 expression in airway epithelial cells: role of CCR2 receptor in airway epithelial injury.

The repair of an injured bronchial epithelial cell (BEC) monolayer requires proliferation and migration of BECs into the injured area. We hypothesized that BEC monolayer injury results in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production, which initiates the repair process. BECs (BEAS-2B from ATCC) were utilized in this study. MCP-1 interacts with CCR2B receptor (CCR2B), resulting in cell proliferation, haptotaxis, and healing of the monolayer. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to verify the presence of CCR2B. CCR2B was not merely present but also inducible by interleukin-2 (IL-2) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We demonstrated by immunohistochemistry that BECs express MCP-1 after injury and that receptor expression can be regulated by exposure to IL-2 and LPS. Haptotactic migration of cells was enhanced in the presence of MCP-1 and reduced in the presence of CCR2B antibody. This enhanced or depressed ability of the BECs to perform haptotactic migration was shown to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) when compared to controls. Finally, BECs proliferate in response to MCP-1 as proven by electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) technology. MCP-1-specific antibodies were shown to neutralize the MCP-1-mediated BEC proliferation. This cascade of events following injury to the bronchial epithelium may provide insight into the mechanism of the repair process.

Bronchi↗

Chemokine receptor (CCR2) genotype is associated with myocardial infarction and heart failure in patients under 65 years of age.

Inflammation is associated with atherosclerosis of coronary arteries. Chemokines have an important role in inflammation. The CCR2 chemokine receptor mediates leukocyte chemoattraction, which is involved in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease. We prospectively studied 1960 consecutive patients aged under 65 years and referred for a first-time left ventricular catheter. Left heart catheters were analyzed by two independent cardiologists for the presence of myocardial infarction (regional wall motion abnormality) and moderate or severely reduced left ventricular function on cineventriculography and presence of coronary atherosclerosis on angiography. Genotyping for CCR2 V64I polymorphism was performed. The presence of the rare allele of the CCR2 gene was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of myocardial infarction on cinventriculography (32.0% vs. 24.2%, moderately or severely reduced left ventricular function (14.0% vs. 9.5%) and NYHA class III or IV (16.7% vs. 12.2%). The association of the CCR2 genotype with heart failure was not independent of the presence of myocardial infarction in multivariate analysis. There was no association of the CCR2 genotype with coronary atherosclerosis. The CCR2 genotype seems to predispose patients for myocardial infarction before the age of 65 years. The higher prevalence of heart failure in gene carriers with the rare alle might be a consequence of myocardial infarction. If the CCR2 genotype is associated with higher mortality in the general population must be investigated in further studies.

Alleles↗

Differential expression of the isoforms for the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 receptor, CCR2, in monocytes.

Two isoforms of human CCR2, the receptor for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), have been identified but their relative expression in monocytes and contribution to inflammatory responses mediated by MCP-1 remain uncertain. All available information on CCR2 expression is based on mRNA data because isoform-specific antibodies were not available until now. To analyze the relative expression of each isoform, we made two antibodies that specifically recognized CCR2A and CCR2B. Examination of receptor protein with these isoform-specific antibodies showed that the total expression of CCR2B in monocytes was about 10-fold higher than that of CCR2A with an equal distribution between the cell surface and intracellular pools. A detailed analysis using purified plasma membranes demonstrated that about 90% of all CCR2 on the cell surface were composed of CCR2B. The relatively abundant expression of CCR2B on the cell surface suggests a principal role of this isoform as a mediator of monocyte responses to MCP-1 in inflammation.

Animals↗

The chemokine receptor CCR2 is involved in macrophage recruitment to the injured peripheral nervous system.

Wallerian degeneration is one of the most elementary reactions of the nervous system after transection of axons, leading to the recruitment of mononuclear cells from the systemic circulation. However, the exact mechanisms regulating this cell invasion have not yet been clarified in detail. Chemokines and their receptors play a central role in leukocyte trafficking, in particular the chemokine MCP-1 has been strongly implicated in macrophage recruitment to the injured nervous system. The present study investigates the course of Wallerian degeneration after transection of the sciatic nerve in mice deficient in two chemokine receptors: CCR2, the main receptor for MCP-1, and CCR5, a marker for Th1 T lymphocytes but also present on macrophages. The number of invading macrophages was determined by immunocytochemistry for three typical macrophage antigens (F4/80, Mac-1, LFA-1). The chemokine receptor CCR2 was expressed by infiltrating cells in the transected nerve stumps. Macrophage invasion was significantly impaired in CCR2-knockout mice when compared with wildtype controls and CCR5-deficient mice. Subsequently, there was a corresponding decrease in myelin phagocytosis due to the reduced invasion of phagocytic macrophages. These data demonstrate the involvement of the chemokine receptor CCR2 in macrophage recruitment to the injured nervous system.

Animals↗

The simultaneous blockade of chemokine receptors CCR2, CCR5 and CXCR3 by a non-peptide chemokine receptor antagonist protects mice from dextran sodium sulfate-mediated colitis.

Chemokine receptors CCR2, CCR5 and CXCR3 are involved in the regulation of macrophage- and T cell-mediated immune responses and in the migration and activation of these cells. In order to determine whether blockade of these chemokine receptors modulates intestinal inflammation, we investigated here the effect of a non-peptide chemokine receptor antagonist, TAK-779 (N,N-dimethyl-N-[4-[[[2-(4-methylphenyl)-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocyclohepten-8-yl]carbonyl]amino]benzyl]-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-aminium chloride), in mice with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced experimental colitis. C57BL/6 mice were fed 5% DSS in their drinking water for up to 7 days with or without the administration of TAK-779. The severity of inflammation in the colon was assessed by clinical signs and histological examination. Infiltration of inflammatory cells into the mucosa was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of cytokine and chemokine mRNAs in tissues was quantitated by reverse transcription-PCR. During DSS-induced colitis, the recruitment of monocytes/macrophages into the colonic mucosa and the induction of proinflammatory cytokines correlated with the severity of intestinal inflammation. The onset of clinical signs and histopathologic features were delayed in animals treated with TAK-779. The expression of CCR2, CCR5 and CXCR3 mRNAs was inhibited in the TAK-779-treated mice. Consistent with these results, infiltration of monocytes/macrophages into the lamina propria was almost completely inhibited and the expression of colonic IL-1beta and IL-6 was significantly decreased in the TAK-779-treated mice. The blockade of CCR2, CCR5 and CXCR3 prevents murine experimental colitis by inhibiting the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the mucosa. Therefore, chemokines and their receptors may be therapeutic targets for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Amides↗

Expression and characterization of the chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR5 in mice.

The chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR5 play important roles in the recruitment of monocytes/macrophages and T cells. To better understand the role of both receptors in murine models of inflammatory diseases and to recognize potential problems when correlating these data to humans, we have generated mAbs against murine CCR2 and CCR5. In mice CCR2 is homogeneously expressed on monocytes and on 2--15% of T cells, closely resembling the expression pattern in humans. In contrast to humans, murine NK cells are highly CCR5 positive. In addition, CCR5 is expressed on 3--10% of CD4 and 10--40% of CD8-positive T cells and is weakly detectable on monocytes. Using a model of immune complex nephritis, we examined the effects of inflammation on chemokine receptor expression and found a 10-fold enrichment of CCR5(+) and CCR2(+) T cells in the inflamed kidneys. The activity of various chemokines and the antagonistic properties of the mAbs were measured by ligand-induced internalization of CCR2 and CCR5 on primary leukocytes. The Ab MC-21 (anti-CCR2) reduced the activity of murine monocyte chemotactic protein 1 by 95%, whereas the Ab MC-68 (anti-CCR5) blocked over 99% of the macrophage-inflammatory protein 1alpha and RANTES activity. MC-21 and MC-68 efficiently blocked the ligand binding to CCR2 and CCR5 with an IC(50) of 0.09 and 0.6--1.0 microg/ml, respectively. In good correlation to these in vitro data, MC-21 almost completely prevented the influx of monocytes in thioglycollate-induced peritonitis. Therefore, both Abs appear as useful reagents to further study the role of CCR2 and CCR5 in murine disease models.

Animals↗

Differential expression of MCP-1 and its receptor CCR2 in glucose primed human mesangial cells.

BACKGROUND: Glomerular mononuclear cell infiltration is associated with the development of a diffuse glomerulosclerosis in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in the recruitment and accumulation of monocytes and lymphocytes within the glomerulus. In the present study, we examined whether the ambient glucose concentration alters the expression of MCP-1 and its receptor CCR2 in primary human mesangial cells (HMC). METHODS: MCP-1 mRNA expression was assessed by Northern blot and CCR2 mRNA expression by RT-PCR analysis. MCP-1 protein production was determined by ELISA. Migration studies were performed to assess functional MCP-1 receptor expression. RESULTS: Exposure of HMC to 30 mM D-glucose led to a 30% increase in MCP-1 mRNA expression as compared to 5 mM D-glucose and osmotic controls while there was no difference in MCP-1 protein production. Simultaneously, CCR2 mRNA expression was down-regulated in HMC exposed to 30 mM D-glucose. 5 mM D-glucose primed HMC showed a dose-dependent migration towards MCP-1 that was dose-dependently inhibited by pertussis toxin, the broad-spectrum chemokine antagonist vMIP-II as well as the CCR2 receptor antagonist (1-8del)MCP-1--demonstrating functional activity of MCP-1 receptor expression in primary HMC. In accordance with the downregulatory effects of 30 mM D-glucose on CCR2 mRNA expression no migratory response towards MCP-1 was observed under these conditions. The additional proinflammatory stimulus TNFalpha increased MCP-1 protein production in 30 as compared to 5 mM D-glucose primed HMC (2,194 +/- 568 vs. 1,422 +/- 379 pg MCP-1/10(4) cells x ml in 30 vs. 5 mM D-glucose primed HMC +24 h TNFalpha 500 U/ml, p = 0.002). However, this was not associated with an increased MCP-1 mRNA transcription. The 30 mM D-glucose induced downregulation of CCR2 mRNA expression was prevented in the presence of TNFalpha. CONCLUSION: High ambient glucose does not affect mesangial MCP-1 release and decreases its CCR2 receptor expression. However, in the presence of an inflammatory stimulus these effects of high glucose are reversed and an autocrine pathway of MCP-1 develops in mesangial cells.

Cell Movement↗

Chemokine receptor CCR2 is not essential for the development of experimental cerebral malaria.

Infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA induces cerebral malaria in susceptible mice. Brain-sequestered CD8(+) T cells are responsible for this pathology. We have evaluated the role of CCR2, a chemokine receptor expressed on CD8(+) T cells. Infected CCR2-deficient mice were as susceptible to cerebral malaria as wild-type mice were, and CD8(+) T-cell migration to the brain was not abolished.

Animals↗

LPS down-regulates the expression of chemokine receptor CCR2 in mice and abolishes macrophage infiltration in acute inflammation.

Interactions between chemokines and their specific receptors are important for leukocyte trafficking. The CC-chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and its specific receptor CCR2 are essential in monocytic infiltration and have been associated with several inflammatory diseases. It has been reported that several endotoxin and proinflammatory cytokines inhibit CCR2 expression in vitro in human monocytes. We report here that lipopolysaccharides (LPS) down-regulated CCR2 expression both in vitro and in vivo. Injection of LPS into mice dramatically reduced the expression of CCR2 on the surface of peripheral blood cells and completely blocked macrophage infiltration into the peritoneal cavity in response to thioglycollate elicitation. In addition, treatment of mice with LPS reduced their efficiency to clear Listeria monocytogenes infection. These results suggest that down-regulation of CCR2 and blockage of monocyte infiltration may contribute to the inhibition of macrophage function in vivo by a low dose of LPS.

Animals↗

Chemokine CCL2 and chemokine receptor CCR2 in early active multiple sclerosis.

The chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1/CCL2 and its receptor CCR2 have been strongly implicated in disease pathogenesis in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), whereas data on the CCL2-CCR2 axis are scarce in MS. We studied the expression of CCR2 on leukocytes in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with monosymptomatic optic neuritis and MS, and the concentration of CCL2 in the CSF from these patients. Results were compared with the results in non-inflammatory neurological controls and were correlated with other parameters (magnetic resonance imaging and CSF data). Our findings suggest a limited role for CCL2/CCR2 in early active MS.

Adult↗

Chemokines in the MPTP model of Parkinson's disease: absence of CCL2 and its receptor CCR2 does not protect against striatal neurodegeneration.

Recent studies have invoked inflammation as a major contributor to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). We determined the role of members of the chemokine system, key inflammatory mediators, in PD pathogenesis. In the MPTP model of murine PD, several chemokines, including CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1) and CCL3 (Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1alpha), were upregulated in the striatum and the ventral midbrain. Astrocytes were the predominant source of CCL2 and CCL3 in the striatum and the substantia nigra, and dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra constitutively expressed these two chemokines. MPTP treatment resulted in decreased CCL2 expression and increased CCL3 expression in the surviving dopaminergic neurons. Because we found that CCL2 induced production of TNF-alpha in microglial cells, a cytokine known to play a detrimental role in PD, we anticipated that deletion of the genes encoding CCL2 and CCR2, its major receptor, would confer a protective phenotype. However, MPTP-induced striatal dopamine depletion was comparable in double knockout and wild-type mice. Our results demonstrate that chemokines such as CCL2 are induced following MPTP treatment, but that at least within the context of this PD model, the absence of CCL2 and CCR2 does not protect against striatal dopamine loss.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗