Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) is a cytokine which belongs to the CC chemokine family. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, photoreceptors and microglial cells in the retina can secrete MCP-1. Physiological level of MCP-1 is important for preserving morphology of RPE and glial cells, as well as retinal function and gross morphology. MCP-1 is likely released from Müller glia and the RPE cells when retina under stress, and attracts microglia/macrophages to the sites of retinal damage, activates the microglia to ingest cell debris. MCP-1 has been found upregulated in the intraocular fluid of retina in patients and animal models with retinal detachment, posterior uveitis and age-related macular degeneration. The expression of MCP-1 may be response to retinal inflammation. Therefore, it is tempting to speculate that pharmacological targeting of MCP-1 may be a safe and viable strategy in treatment of retinal disease.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are considered to have important value in the treatment of various diseases because of their low immunogenicity, transferability, and strong tissue repair capacity. Stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) pathway plays an important role in migration of MSC. The induction of homing of MSC to retina by regulating SDF-1/CXCR4 may exert the curative effect on diabetic retinopathy to greatest exent.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expressions and significance of chemokines factor receptors 4 (CXCR4) and chemokines factor receptors 7 (CXCR7) in gastric cancer tissues.
MethodsSixty-five patients with gastric cancer who treated in our hospital from January 2011 to June 2013 were retrospectively collected as gastric cancer group, and 20 patients with gastric ulcer were retrospectively collected as control group at the same time. The expressions of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric tissues were measured by immunohistochemistry, and then the relation-ship among expressions of CXCR4/CXCR7 in gastric cancer tissues and clinicopathological features of patients with gastric cancer was explored, as well as its effect on survival.
ResultsPositive expression rates of CXCR4 and CXCR7 were identi-fied in 80.00% (52/65) and 84.62% (55/65) of the gastric cancer group, and 5.00% (1/20) and 10.00% (2/20) in control group respectively, and the positive expression rates of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in gastric cancer group were significantly higher than those of control group respectively (χ2=36.65, P<0.01; χ2=38.55, P<0.01). The positive expression rate of CXCR4 in gastric cancer tissues was related with degree of differentiation, T staging, and TNM staging (P<0.05), positive expression rate of CXCR4 in patients with poor differentiation, T3-4 staging, and TNM Ⅲ-Ⅳ staging were higher than corresponding patients with moderate/high degree of differentiation, T1-2 staging, and TNM Ⅰ-Ⅱ staging. The positive expression rate of CXCR7 in gastric cancer tissues was related with degree of differentiation, T staging, and N staging (P<0.05), positive expression rate of CXCR7 in patients with poor differentiation, T3-4 staging, and N1-3 staging were higher than corrsponding patients with moderate/high degree of differentiation, T1-2 staging, and N0 staging. The survival situation was worse in patients with positive expression of CXCR4 and CXCR7 than corresponding patients with negative expression (P=0.01, P=0.01) respectively.
ConclusionsCXCR4 and CXCR7 are related to gastric cancer genesis and development. Furthermore, the expressions of CXCR4 and CXCR7 could be used as markers to predict prognosis of gastric cancer. The regulation of CXCR4/chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) axis and CXCR7/CXCL12 axis may provide a new targeted therapy for patients with gastric cancer.
Objective To investigate the effects of histone modification on the expression of chemokines in alveolar epithelial typeⅡ cells ( AECⅡ) in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) . Methods 20 SD rats were randomly assigned to a normal control group and a COPD group. The rat model of COPD was established by cigarette smoking. Lung histological changes were observed by HE staining. AECⅡ cells were isolated and identified by alkaline phosphatase staining and electron microscopic. The mRNA expressions of monocyte chemoattractant protein ( MCP) -1, IL-8, and macrophage inflammatory protein ( MIP) -2αwere detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The expression of histone deacetylase ( HDAC) 2 was measured by western blot. Chromatin immunoprecipitation ( ChIP) was used todetect H3 and H4 acetylation, and H4K9 methylation in the promoter region of chemokine gene. Results Compared with the control group, the mRNA expressions of MCP-1, IL-8, and MIP-2αin the COPD group increased 4. 48,3. 14, and 2. 83 times, respectively. The expression of HDAC2 protein in the COPD group wassignificantly lower than in the control group ( 0. 25 ±0. 15 vs. 0. 66 ±0. 15, P lt; 0. 05) . The expression of HDAC2 had a negative correlation with the gene expressions of IL-8, MCP-1, and MIP-2α( r = - 0. 960,- 0. 914, - 0. 928, respectively, all P lt;0. 05) . The levels of H3 and H4 acetylation were higher, and H4K9 methylation level was lower in the promoter region of chemokine gene in the COPD group compared with the control group ( all P lt; 0. 05) . Conclusions MCP-1, IL-8, and MIP-2α participate and promote the lung inflammatory response in COPD. HDAC2-mediated histone modification may play an important role in COPD inflammation.
ObjectiveBased on the rat in situ perfusion system, to explore the effect of up-regulating Chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) expression on bone marrow neutrophils in modulating its ECC-related rapid release.
MethodsTwelve SD rats were randomly divided into fucoidan perfusion group (F, n=6) and control group (C, n=6) after in situ perfusion system establishment. Rats in F group received perfusion of fucoidan solution (total volume 6 ml, 1 h) and C group received buffer only. Femurs from two groups were dissected after one-hour perfusion and bone marrow tissues were collected. The neutrophil CXCR4 expression in two groups were compared using flowcytometry. Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into fucoidan perfusion group (F', n=6), fucoidan and AMD-3100 perfusion group (F+AMD3100, n=6) and control group (C', n=6) after in situ perfusion system establishment. Rats received desired interventions before stimulation from ECC plasma. After that, 40-min perfusions of buffer were added and total counts of neutrophil in perfusates were compared.
ResultsThe percentages of CXCR4 (+) cell and CXCR4 expression fluorescence in F group were 4.71%±0.21% and 161.3±7.8 respectively while the values were 1.11%±0.11% and 58.4±6.5 respectively in C group. Values in F group were both significantly higher than those in C group (P<0.05). The total counts of neutrophil in perfusates from F' group, F+AMD3100 and C' group were 261 393.7±12 470.6, 872 635.2±10 430.6 and 818 675.2±10 708.8, respectively. Statistically differences were observed between each other (P<0.05).
ConclusionBone marrow neutrophil CXCR4 expression of SD rat could be effectively up-regulated by perfusion of fucoidan within the in situ perfusion system. ECC-plasma-stimulated bone marrow neutrophil release in rat could be inhibited by fucoidan induced up-regulation of neutrophil CXCR4 expression, and this inhibition effect could be canceled by AMD-3100 intervention.
Objective To investigate the influence on matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 3, 9, and 13 levels of human articular cartilage cells after blocking stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1)/ chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) signaling pathway withAMD3100 and to define the function mechanism of AMD3100. Methods A total of 144 cartilage blocks from 12 osteoarthritis (OA) patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (OA cartilage group) and 144 normal cartilage blocks (Mankin score of 0 or 1) from 12 patients undergoing traumatic amputation (normal cartilage group). OA cartilage group was further divided into subgroups A1, B1, and C1, and normal cartilage group into subgroups A2, B2, and C2. The cartilage tissues were cultured in DMEM solution containing 100 ng/mL SDF-1 and 1 000 nmol/L AMD3100 in subgroup A, 100 ng/mL SDF-1 and 1 000 nmol/L MAB310 in subgroup B, and 100 ng/mL SDF-1 in subgroup C, respectively. The levels of MMP-3, 9, and 13 were measured by ELISA; the expressions of MMP-3, 9, and 13mRNA were tested by RT-PCR. Results ELISA and RT-PCR results showed that the levels of MMP-3, 9, and 13 and the expressions of MMP-3, 9, and 13 mRNA were significantly lower in subgroup A than in subgroups B and C at the same time points (P lt; 0.05); the levels of MMP-3, 9, and 13 and the expressions of MMP-3, 9, and 13 mRNA were significantly higher in OA cartilage group than in normal cartilage group at the same time points (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion SDF-1 could induce overexpression and release of MMP-3, 9, and 13 in the articular cartilage through the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway; AMD3100 could reduce the mRNA expressions and secretion of MMP-3, 9, and 13 in OA cartilage by blocking the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway; but AMD3100 could not make the secretion of MMP-3, 9, and 13 return to normal levels in OA cartilage.
ObjectiveTo detect expressions of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interleukin-27 (IL-27) proteins in liver tissue of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.
MethodsThe edge liver tissues (from the lesion edge 0.5 cm) and the normal liver tissues (from the lesion edge 5 cm) of 20 patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis in the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University were collected and stored at-80℃ freezer. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of IL-17 and IL-27 proteins in these two tissues.
ResultThe positive rates of IL-17 and IL-27 protein expressions in the edge liver tissues were significantly higher than those in the normal liver tissues[IL-17:80.0% (16/20) versus 10.0% (2/20), χ2=12.36, P < 0.01; IL-27:85.0% (17/20) versus 20.0% (4/20), χ2=12.36, P < 0.01].
ConclusionHigh expressions of IL-17 and IL-27 protein in edge liver tissue might participate in progress of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.
Objective
To observe the relationship of serum levels of homocysteine (HCY) and chemokine C-C motifligand 2 (CCL2) with cognitive impairment in COPD patients with different degrees of emphysema.
Methods
Sixty-twoCOPD patients identified according to emphysema phenotype classification and admitted from January 2016 to March 2017 were recruited in the study. There were 37 cases in emphysema 1-2 grade and 25 cases in emphysema 3-4 grade. Simultaneous 30 healthy subjects undergoing physical examination were recruited as control. Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale investigation and serum HCY and CCL2 test were completed. Relationship analysis was conducted on serum HCY, CCL2 levels with cognitive impairment in the COPD patients with different degrees of emphysema.
Results
Compared with the 1-2 grade subgroup, the PaO2 was lower, PaCO2 was higher, the plasma HCY and CCL2 levels increased in the 3-4 grade subgroup with significant differences (all P<0.05). MoCA total score and subscores were relatively low in the COPD group with emphysema than the control group (except visuospatial ability scores in the 1-2 grade subgroup). MoCA scores were statistically lower in the 3-4 grade subgroup than those in the 1-2 grade subgroup (allP<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that HCY and CLL2 levels were negatively correlated with MoCA scores and subscores (P<0.01), and HCY and CLL2 were positively correlated (bothP<0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of HCY and CLL2 for evaluating cognitive impairment was 0.79 and 0.97, respectively.
Conclusion
In patients with different degrees of emphysema phenotype, serum HCY and CCL2 levels are increased in different degree, and the degree of emphysema is closely related with cognitive dysfunction.
Objective To summarize the relationships between chemokines or chemokine receptors, especially CCL19/CCL21-CCR7 and CXCL12-CXCR4 axis and occurrence and development of gastric cancer. Methods Domestic and international publications online involving the relationships between chemokines, chemokine recepotors and gastric cancer in recent years were collected and reviewed. Results By regulating the microenvironment of the growth of gastric cancer, CCL19/CCL21-CCR7 played an important role in lymph node metastasis and CXCL12-CXCR4 axis played a key role in the development of peritoneal carcinomatosis. CCR7 might function as a specific prognostic marker for lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer. Blocking the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis might be useful for the future development of a more effective therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer involved in peritoneal dissemination. Conclusions Chemokines and chemokine receptors promote the evolution of gastric cancer in variable ways, so the mechanisms of which should be comprehended to provide a theoretical basis for the future treatment. As new therapeutic targets, chemokines and chemokine receptors have a prosperity for the clinic evaluation and treatment of gastric cancer.
Objective To observe the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in aqueous humor of patients with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods Forty eyes of 40 consecutive patients with macular edema secondary to CRVO (CRVO group) were enrolled in this study. The patients included 25 males and 15 females. The patient age ranged from 38 to 76 years. The control group was 20 patients with senile cataract who underwent phacoemulsification, including 10 males and 10 females. The levels of VEGF165, VEGF165b, IL-6 and MCP-1 in aqueous humor were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. The correlation of VEGF, and IL-6, and MCP-1 were analyzed. Results The median aqueous level of VEGF165, IL-6 and MCP-1 were 1089.0, 165.6, 1253.0 pg/ml respectively in CRVO group, which were higher than the control group's results (168.2, 4.7, 216.4 pg/ml respectively), the differences were statistically significant (Z=-4.549, -6.008, -5.343;P＜0.001). The VEGF165b in CRVO group and control group were 834.0, 915.9 pg/ml respectively, the difference was not statistically significant (Z=-0.207，P＞0.05). The ratio of VEGF165b to VEGF165 in CRVO group and control group were 2.71, 7.28 respectively, the difference was statistically significant (t=-3.007，P＜0.05). There was a highly positive correlation between IL-6 and VEGF in CRVO group (r=0.526,P=0.001) and also mild positive correlation in control group (r=0.425，P=0.070). No correlation between MCP-1 and VEGF was observed in both groups (CRVO group: r=0.211,P＞0.05. Control group: r=-0.019,P＞0.05). Conclusions VEGF165, IL-6 and MCP-1 levels were increased in CRVO patients while the VEGF165b was normal. The ratio between VEGF165b and VEGF165 in aqueous humor of patients with macular edema secondary to CRVO was decreased.
