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Biomedical subjects

Hiroyuki Nagase

Publications and source records attributed to Hiroyuki Nagase.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Trans-basement membrane migration of human basophils: role of matrix metalloproteinase-9.

In allergic disorders, basophils migrate from the blood stream to inflamed tissue sites. Since trans-basement membrane migration is an important step for local basophil accumulation, we performed a human basophil transmigration assay using a model basement membrane, Matrigel. IL-3 in the upper chamber was critical for basophil trans-basement membrane migration over baseline levels, since none of the chemoattractants placed in the lower chambers induced migration. RANTES, IL-8, 5-oxo-6E,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxo-ETE) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) significantly up-regulated the transmigration of IL-3-treated basophils. Neutralizing experiments indicated the involvement of beta2 integrin and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 in basophil transmigration. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that basophils constitutively expressed transcripts for MMP-9, and at lower levels, MMP-2, but cell-surface expression was only detected for MMP-9. MMP-9 was also detected in the cytoplasm and culture supernatant of the basophils. Treatment with IL-3 up-regulated the surface level of MMP-9 on the basophils. Our results suggest that basophils possess a unique regulatory mechanism for trans-basement membrane migration which is affected by cytokines, chemoattractants, beta2 integrin and MMPs, especially MMP-9. MMP-9 may be critically involved in the pathogenesis of local basophil influx in allergic diseases.

Basement Membrane↗

Expression and function of toll-like receptors in human basophils.

We investigated the expression and function of a panel of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in human basophils. Basophil preparations constitutively expressed TLR2, TLR4, TLR9 and TLR10 mRNAs (TLR4 > TLR2 >> TLR9, TLR10). Although TLR mRNA expression in basophils was generally less prominent compared with those in neutrophils and monocytes, basophils expressed significantly higher levels of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA than eosinophils. Various TLR ligands (Pam3Cys-Ser-Lys4, poly I:C, lipopolysaccharide, R-848, CpG DNA) were tested, but none affected the expression level of adhesion molecule CD11b or the viability of freshly purified basophils. On the other hand, when basophils were pretreated with interferon-gamma before stimulation with TLR ligands, only the TLR4 ligand, lipopolysaccharide, upregulated CD11b expression. However, the surface levels of TLR2 and TLR4 on the interferon-gamma-treated basophils showed no obvious changes. These results suggest that TLR4 on basophils may be involved in the pathogenesis of infection-induced exacerbation of allergic inflammation by modulating basophil functions.

Basophils↗

The role of platelet-derived growth factor receptor in eotaxin signaling of eosinophils.

BACKGROUND: Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) are capable of eliciting kinase activity after ligand binding. In several cells, RTKs are activated via the G-protein-coupled receptor independent of the ligand-RTK interaction. We have previously found that EGFR is transactivated via CC chemokine receptor 3 in bronchial epithelial cells and that this pathway is important for mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation and cytokine production. It has recently been suggested that hypereosinophilic syndrome results from the fusion tyrosine kinase FIP1L1-PDGFRA. Although it is possible that the PDGFR signal is involved in eosinophil function, the details are still unclear. METHODS: Blood eosinophils were purified using Percoll and anti-CD16 antibody-coated magnetic beads. Expression of PDGFR mRNA was examined by RT-PCR. After stimulating eosinophils with eotaxin, the phosphorylation of MAP kinases was examined by Western blotting with the antiphosphospecific MAP kinase antibody. The eotaxin-induced eosinophil chemotaxis was studied using Boyden chambers. RESULTS: Eosinophils expressed PDGFRbeta mRNA in 4 out of 8 donors, while PDGFRalpha mRNA was expressed in only 1 donor. Protein expression of PDGFR was also detectable in eosinophils from some donors. AG1295, a specific inhibitor of PDGFR, showed dose-dependent inhibition of eotaxin-induced MAP kinase phosphorylation in the eosinophils expressing PDGFRbeta mRNA. The chemotaxis of these eosinophils was significantly inhibited by AG1295 (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PDGFR modifies the CCR3-MAP kinase signaling pathway and chemotactic response in some donors. The pharmacological targeting of PDGFR may be a new strategy to treat eosinophilic disorders.

Blotting, Western↗

Bacterial flagellin inhibits T cell receptor-mediated activation of T cells by inducing suppressor of cytokine signalling-1 (SOCS-1).

Flagellin, the structural component of bacterial flagella, is secreted by pathogenic and commensal bacteria, and is recognized by Toll-like receptor (TLR) 5. Flagellin is a common bacterial antigen present on most motile bacteria and is speculated to contribute to the activation of CD4+ T cells in the intestine. However, molecular mechanisms by which flagellin regulate T cell activation remains to be determined. Using Jurkat T cells or human primary T cell, we showed that flagellin stimulation induced tyrosine phosphorylation of TLR5 and activation of both mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor kappaB. In addition, stimulation by flagellin did not induce nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) activation, while stimulation via the T cell receptor (TCR) leads to activation of NFAT. However, TCR-mediated NFAT activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of zeta-associated protein 70 (Zap-70) were inhibited in cells pre-stimulated by flagellin. Furthermore, flagellin stimulation induced suppressor of cytokine signalling-1 (SOCS-1), which formed a complex with Zap-70 after stimulation via TCR, and inhibition of SOCS-1 expression by SOCS-1-specific small interfering RNA reinstated TCR-mediated activation of NFAT in cells pre-stimulated with flagellin. These results collectively indicate that bacterial flagellin inhibits TCR-mediated activation of T cells by inducing SOCS-1.

Blotting, Western↗

Mechanism of neurotrophic action of nobiletin in PC12D cells.

Nobiletin is a nonpeptide compound with a low molecular weight from a citrus fruit and has the activity to rescue bulbectomy-induced memory impairment. Here we describe that nobiletin itself induces neurite outgrowth in PC12D cells, a rat pheochromocytoma cell line, like NGF, and the molecular mechanism of its neurotrophic action. As cultured in the presence of nobiletin or NGF for 48 h and then assayed using a scanning electron microscope, PC12D cells treated with nobiletin showed morphology with flatter and larger cell bodies than the cells cultured with NGF. Nobiletin-induced neurite outgrowth was inhibited by PD98059 and U0126 but not K252a. Consistently, nobiletin caused a concentration-dependent enhancement of Erk/MAP kinase phosphorylation and a sustained increment of phosphorylation of MEK and Erk/MAP kinase, resulting in a stimulation of CREB phosphorylation and CRE-mediated transcription. This compound also increased intracellular cAMP and CRE-mediated transcription in the presence of forskolin and enhanced PKA activity to stimulate phosphorylation of multiple PKA substrates in PC12D cells. Furthermore, nobiletin preferentially inhibited Ca2+/CaM-dependent phosphodiesterase in vitro. This compound failed to stimulate phosphorylation of Erk5, which is known to be induced by NGF/TrkA signaling. These results suggest that nobiletin induces neurite outgrowth by activating a cAMP/PKA/MEK/Erk/MAP kinase-dependent but not TrkA-dependent signaling pathway coupling with CRE-mediated gene transcription and may thus become a novel type of biochemical probe for elucidation of the molecular mechanism of neuronal differentiation.

Animals↗

Nobiletin and its related flavonoids with CRE-dependent transcription-stimulating and neuritegenic activities.

cAMP response element (CRE) transcription is dysregulated in neurodegenerative disorders in the central nervous system (CNS), including polyglutamine diseases. As the first step to find natural compounds with protective action against neurodegeneration in the CNS, we here examined whether six citrus flavonoids, namely nobiletin, 5-demethylnobiletin, tangeretin, sinensetin, 6-demethoxytangeretin, and 6-demethoxynobiletin, stimulated CRE-dependent transcription and induced neurite outgrowth in PC12D cells. Among the compounds, nobiletin most potently enhanced CRE-dependent transcription and neurite outgrowth by activating ERK/MAP kinase-dependent signalling to increase CREB phosphorylation. The transcription and neurite outgrowth were stimulated by nobiletin in a concentration-dependent manner, with a strong correlation between them. Furthermore, a 11-day oral administration of nobiletin rescued impaired memory in olfactory-bulbectomized mice documented to be accompanied by a cholinergic neurodegeneration. These results suggest that nobiletin with the activity to improve impaired memory may become a potential leading compound for drug development for neurodegenerative disorders exhibiting the dysregulated CRE-dependent transcription.

Animals↗

Role of insulin-like growth factor-I in allergen-induced airway inflammation and remodeling.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is known to act on fibroblasts as a progression factor to push cells toward proliferation and activation to synthesize collagen. Subepithelial fibrosis, collagen deposition at the lamina reticularis, is part of the process of so-called remodeling and is a characteristic finding in the asthmatic airway. To study the role of IGF in the evolution of asthma, we used a model that involved immunization of mice with ovalbumin and alum, followed by an inhaled challenge of ovalbumin. IGF-I neutralizing antibody was continuously infused with an osmotic pump. Pulmonary function was analyzed using whole-body plethysmography before and after acetylcholine administration. It was found that OVA inhalation induced IGF-I expression at the site of the airway. IGF-I neutralizing Ab inhibited the elevation of airway resistance, airway inflammation, and an increase in airway wall thickening. The depression of ICAM-1 expression was accompanied by a diminution in airway inflammation. In conclusion, these results suggest that IGF-I is likely to be an important mediator of inflammation and remodeling in the asthmatic airway.

Allergens↗

IgE- and FcepsilonRI-mediated migration of human basophils.

Local accumulation of basophils at inflammatory sites is observed in experimental antigen challenge and in allergic diseases. It is not fully known what factor(s) regulates local basophil influx in tissues, and it has not been determined whether antigens belong in a panel of basophil chemoattractants. This study was designed to elucidate whether IgE- and high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonRI)-mediated stimulation can induce human basophil migration. The migration-inducing potency of an anti-FcepsilonRI alpha-chain mAb, CRA-1, was examined on human basophils. CRA-1 mAb elicited significant migration of basophils. The migration-inducing potency of this mAb was maximal at 100 ng ml-1, and CRA-1 mAb at 100 ng ml-1 attracted approximately 10% of total inoculated basophils above baseline levels after incubation for 2.5 h. Checkerboard analysis indicated that basophil migration induced by this mAb was mainly chemotactic and partially chemokinetic. An antigen, Der f 2, also induced migration of basophils from Der f-sensitive subjects. Basophils mixed with 1 ng ml-1 of CRA-1 mAb showed an exaggerated migration response to eotaxin, indicating that FcepsilonRI cross-linkage enhances basophil migration to other chemoattractants. Induction of basophil migration by IgE- and FcepsilonRI-cross-linking stimulation may, at least in part, explain the pathogenesis of local basophil accumulation clinically observed in allergic diseases such as asthma.

Antigens, Dermatophagoides↗

5-Lipoxygenase products regulate basophil functions: 5-Oxo-ETE elicits migration, and leukotriene B(4) induces degranulation.

BACKGROUND: 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) products have been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. In addition to their physiologic effects on residential cells, 5-LO products are capable of stimulating various eosinophil functions. However, little is known regarding the effects of 5-LO products on basophil functions. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to elucidate the effects of the main 5-LO products (ie, leukotriene [LT] B(4), LTD(4), and 5-oxo-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid [5-oxo-ETE]), as well as their receptor expression on human basophils. METHODS: We studied the effects of 5-LO products on Ca(2+) mobilization, migration, CD 11b expression, and degranulation of human basophils. Expression of the receptors for LTC(4)/D(4)/E(4) (cysteinyl leukotriene 1 [CysLT(1)] and CysLT(2)), LTB4 (BLT(1) and BLT(2)), and 5-oxo-ETE (oxoeicosanoid [OXE]) was assessed by means of real-time PCR and flow cytometry. RESULTS: At the mRNA level, basophils strongly expressed OXE and predominantly expressed CysLT(1) and BLT(2). The expression level of OXE mRNA in basophils was approximately 20-fold higher than in neutrophils and similar to that in eosinophils. At the protein level, basophils expressed CysLT(1), CysLT(2), BLT(1), and OXE, but not BLT(2). All products elicited a transient increase of cytosolic calcium, with the order of magnitude being LTB(4)>5-oxo-ETE>LTD(4). 5-Oxo-ETE induced a strong basophil migratory response that was almost equivalent to that of prostaglandin D(2). LTB(4) elicited significant degranulation of IL-3-primed basophils. In contrast, no functional significance was observed for LTD(4). CONCLUSION: Among 5-LO products, 5-oxo-ETE induces a potent basophil migratory response, and LTB(4) elicits degranulation under certain conditions. Our results strongly suggest that 5-oxo-ETE might afford opportunities for therapeutic targeting in allergic inflammation.

Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase↗

Expression and function of Toll-like receptors in eosinophils: activation by Toll-like receptor 7 ligand.

We investigated the expression of a panel of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and their functions in human eosinophils. Eosinophils constitutively expressed TLR1, TLR4, TLR7, TLR9, and TLR10 mRNAs (TLR4 greater than TLR1, TLR7, TLR9, and TLR10 greater than TLR6). In contrast, neutrophils expressed a larger variety of TLR mRNAs (TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR6, TLR8 greater than TLR5, TLR9, and TLR10 greater than TLR7). Although the expression levels in eosinophils were generally less prominent compared with those in neutrophils, eosinophils expressed a higher level of TLR7. Furthermore, among various TLR ligands (S-(2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2-RS)-propyl)-N-palmitoyl-Cys-Ser-(Lys)(4), poly(I:C), LPS, R-848, and CpG DNA), only R-848, a ligand of TLR7 and TLR8, regulated adhesion molecule (CD11b and L-selectin) expression, prolonged survival, and induced superoxide generation in eosinophils. Stimulation of eosinophils by R-848 led to p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, and SB203580, a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, almost completely attenuated R-848-induced superoxide generation. Although TLR8 mRNA expression was hardly detectable in freshly isolated eosinophils, mRNA expression of TLR8 as well as TLR7 was exclusively up-regulated by IFN-gamma but not by either IL-4 or IL-5. The up-regulation of the TLRs by IFN-gamma had potentially functional significance: the extent of R-848-induced modulation of adhesion molecule expression was significantly greater in cells treated with IFN-gamma compared with untreated cells. Although the natural ligands for TLR7 and TLR8 have not yet been identified, our results suggest that eosinophil TLR7/8 systems represent a potentially important mechanism of a host-defensive role against viral infection and mechanism linking exacerbation of allergic inflammation and viral infection.

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗

Changing expression of IL-3 and IL-5 receptors in cultured human eosinophils.

IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF exert overlapping functions in eosinophils via a shared receptor beta-chain, and IL-3Ralpha transcript expression is the weakest in blood eosinophils. We investigated the long-term regulation of surface expression of IL-3Ralpha. IL-3 was the most potent inducer of CD69 expression after 24-h stimulation, but not after 1-h stimulation. Expression of IL-5Ralpha and GM-CSFRalpha was significantly downregulated by culturing with their respective ligands, while IL-3Ralpha expression was not. IL-3 at 30pM significantly increased IL-3Ralpha expression and IL-3Ralpha expression was also upregulated by both IL-5 and GM-CSF. In parallel with the surface protein expression, IL-3Ralpha mRNA was also upregulated by IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF. These results demonstrated that long-term culturing of eosinophils with CSFs induced a change in the potency order of CSFs, with IL-3 coming to exert the strongest effect. They thus suggest that IL-3 plays more important roles in local eosinophil activation than previously recognized.

Antigens, CD↗

Comparative effects of basophil-directed growth factors.

IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF exert various overlapping functions in basophils. We investigated the receptor expression profiles and concentration-dependent effects of IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF on several basophil functions in comparison with their effects on eosinophils. The order of the receptor expression levels was IL-3Ralpha>IL-5Ralpha>GM-CSFRalpha in basophils and IL-5Ralpha>or=GM-CSFRalpha>IL-3Ralpha in eosinophils. Compared with eosinophils, basophils expressed a much higher level of IL-3Ralpha and similar levels of IL-5Ralpha and GM-CSFRalpha. The order of potency was IL-3>IL-5=GM-CSF for degranulation, survival, and CD11b expression in basophils, and IL-5=GM-CSF>or=IL-3 for survival and CD11b expression in eosinophils. However, IL-3 induced CD69 expression preferentially in basophils. Our results indicate that IL-3 is the most potent activator of human basophils, and that the rank order of potency of hemopoietic growth factors virtually corresponded to their receptor expression levels in both cell types.

Antigens, CD↗

Concerted expression of eotaxin-1, eotaxin-2, and eotaxin-3 in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Eotaxin-1/CCL11, eotaxin-2/CCL24, and eotaxin-3/CCL26 bind specifically and exclusively to CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 3, which is a potential therapeutic target in treating the peribronchial eosinophilia associated with allergic airway diseases. Bronchial epithelial cells represent an important source of chemokines, and thus we investigated in vitro and in vivo expression of eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 in bronchial epithelial cells in comparison with that of eotaxin-1. Immunohistochemistry showed increased expression of both eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 in addition to eotaxin-1 in asthmatics. Considerable amounts of eotaxins were secreted by bronchial epithelial lineage. As with eotaxin-1 production, generation of eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 by bronchial epithelial cells was up-regulated by IL-4 and IL-13, and attenuated by IFN-gamma and glucocorticoids. In addition to eotaxin-1 expression, but also eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 expression in the bronchial epithelium should be taken into consideration when developing the therapeutic strategies to treat eosinophilic airway diseases.

Asthma↗

Induction of basophil desensitization in physiological medium: enhancement after IgE-dependent upregulation of surface IgE binding on basophils.

BACKGROUND: Although the ability of basophils to release mediators, called releasability, may be an important aspect which influences the proinflammatory role of these cells, clinical approaches aiming at the depletion of the releasability have not been established. We examined whether the desensitization procedure in Ca(2+)-containing physiological conditions can make basophils completely unresponsive to IgE-mediated stimulation, and whether basophil desensitization is affected by the surface IgE levels. METHODS: Human peripheral blood basophils were cultured with low concentrations of anti-IgE antibody or recombinant mite allergen. Following culture, cells were stimulated and their histamine release was measured. RESULTS: Culturing with mite allergen or anti-IgE antibody below threshold concentrations induced potent desensitization in basophils. The desensitizing effect of anti-IgE was dose- and time-dependent; IgE-dependent releasability was completely suppressed when basophils were incubated with a near-threshold concentration of anti-IgE for > or= 4 h. In the continuous presence of subthreshold doses of anti-IgE, basophils remained desensitized even after 3 days. Basophils which had undergone an increase in surface IgE levels after 24-hour culture with IgE demonstrated enhanced desensitization. CONCLUSIONS: Near-threshold stimulation in physiological medium can affect basophils, thereby inducing complete and sustained deprivation of releasability without triggering degranulation. Basophil desensitization is regulated by their surface IgE levels. Induction of full desensitization may represent a potentially important therapeutic strategy for IgE-mediated allergic diseases in which basophils play pathogenic roles.

Animals↗

Activation markers of human basophils: CD69 expression is strongly and preferentially induced by IL-3.

BACKGROUND: The biological functions of basophils are precisely regulated by various cytokines in vitro, but little is known about surface markers that are upregulated during the cytokine-mediated activation process. OBJECTIVE: It has been well established that CD69, CD44, and CD54 represent "activation markers" for cytokine-mediated eosinophil activation. The objective of this study was to elucidate the expression and regulation of these molecules in human basophils in vitro as well as in vivo. METHODS: Basophils were purified from venous blood by means of density gradient centrifugation followed by negative selection. Surface expression was analyzed by means of flow cytometry. We also studied the expression of CD69, CD44, and CD54 on basophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood specimens from patients with asthma. RESULTS: CD44 and CD54 were constitutively expressed on basophils and moderately upregulated by IL-3. On the other hand, CD69 expression was only weakly observed in freshly isolated basophils, but IL-3 induced extremely high levels of expression. Surface CD69 appeared rather slowly in comparison with CD63 and CD11b, and the induction of expression was completed within 24 hours. Basophil CD69 had no functional relevance, but it did have biological relevance. Whole blood basophils from asthmatic individuals expressed significantly higher levels of CD69 than did those from normal individuals. Furthermore, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid basophils showed higher levels of CD69 expression than did blood basophils from the same donors. CONCLUSION: CD69 expression on basophils was preferentially and strongly upregulated by IL-3. CD69 on basophils might be useful as an in vitro as well as in vivo marker of activation of these cells by IL-3.

Aged↗

A functional study on CysLT(1) receptors in human eosinophils.

BACKGROUND: The cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) mediate their biological actions through two receptors: CysLT(1) receptor and CysLT(2) receptor. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to examine the direct effects of CysLTs on eosinophils, such as chemotaxis and degranulation, focusing on CysLT(1). METHODS: Eosinophils were isolated from venous blood from normal volunteers who had no history of allergy (purity >99%). They were subjected to reverse transcription-PCR analysis and flow-cytometric analysis for CysLT(1). Binding assays were performed with [(3)H]LTD(4). Purified eosinophils loaded with Fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester were stimulated with CysLTs, and Ca(2+) influx was measured. Eosinophil migration in response to CysLTs was measured using a 96-well multiwell Boyden chamber. Eosinophils were treated with LTD(4) at 10(-6) M for 60 min followed by incubation for 4 h at 37 degrees C in the presence or absence of IL-5 and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) release was evaluated. RESULTS: The expression of the mRNA and protein of CysLT(1) on eosinophils and [(3)H]LTD(4)-specific binding to eosinophils were observed. Neither Th1 cytokine (IFN-gamma) nor Th2 cytokines (IL-4 or IL-5) affected CysLT(1) expression in eosinophils. CysLTs induced an increase in intracellular free Ca(2+) in eosinophils via CysLT(1), as suggested by the efficient inhibition by a CysLT(1) antagonist, pranlukast, in addition to the rank order of potency being LTD(4), LTC(4) and LTE(4). LTD(4) stimulated eosinophils to migrate at 10(-6) M via CysLT(1). LTE(4) also induced significant eosinophil migration at 10(-6) M. LTD(4) enhanced EDN release induced by IL-5 via CysLT(1). CONCLUSION: CysLTs induce migration and enhance degranulation in eosinophils via CysLT(1). Accordingly, interaction of CysLTs and CysLT(1) on eosinophils has the potential to play a prominent role in the pathophysiology of asthma.

Calcium↗

Cytokine-mediated regulation of CXCR4 expression in human neutrophils.

Several lines of evidence have suggested that a CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)/stromal cell-derived factor-1 [SDF-1; CXC chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12)] pair is involved in baseline trafficking of leukocytes into extravascular tissues and that modulation of surface CXCR4 expression may represent an alternative mechanism for control of cell-specific biological responses to SDF-1/CXCL12. We explored the regulation of CXCR4 expression by cytokines in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). No significant surface expression of CXCR4 in freshly isolated PMNs was detected, but expression became apparent gradually during incubation. SDF-1alpha/CXCL12 initiated Ca2+ mobilization and migratory responses in 20 h cultured PMNs. The surface CXCR4 expression was suppressed most potently by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). IFN-alpha, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and G-CSF also inhibited spontaneous CXCR4 expression. Real-time, quantitative PCR experiments revealed that a spontaneous increase and an IFN-gamma-mediated decrease in surface CXCR4 paralleled changes in the CXCR4 mRNA level. These results on PMNs support the argument that the SDF-1 (CXCL12)/CXCR4 system is regulated by cell type-specific mechanisms.

Cytokines↗