Molecular characterization of receptors for human interleukin-8, GRO/melanoma growth-stimulatory activity and neutrophil activating peptide-2

A Novel C-C Chemoattractant Cytokine (Chemokine) Receptor 6 (CCR6) Antagonist (PF-07054894) Distinguishes between Homologous Chemokine Receptors, Increases Basal Circulating CCR6+ T Cells, and Ameliorates Interleukin-23-Induced Skin Inflammation

Blocking chemokine receptor C-C chemoattractant cytokine (chemokine) receptor (CCR) 6-dependent T cell migration has therapeutic promise in inflammatory diseases. PF-07054894 is a novel CCR6 antagonist that blocked only CCR6, CCR7, and C-X-C chemoattractant cytokine (chemokine) receptor (CXCR) 2 in a β-arrestin assay panel of 168 G protein-coupled receptors. Inhibition of CCR6-mediated human T cell chemotaxis by (R)-4-((2-(((1,4-Dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)(1-methylcyclopentyl)methyl)amino)-3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-en-1-yl)amino)-3-hydroxy-N,N-dimethylpicolinamide (PF-07054894) was insurmountable by CCR6 ligand, C-C motif ligand (CCL) 20. In contrast, blockade of CCR7-dependent chemotaxis in human T cells and CXCR2-dependent chemotaxis in human neutrophils by PF-07054894 were surmountable by CCL19 and C-X-C motif ligand 1, respectively. [3H]-PF-07054894 showed a slower dissociation rate for CCR6 than for CCR7 and CXCR2 suggesting that differences in chemotaxis patterns of inhibition could be attributable to offset kinetics. Consistent with this notion, an analog of PF-07054894 with fast dissociation rate showed surmountable inhibition of CCL20/CCR6 chemotaxis. Furthermore, pre-equilibration of T cells with PF-07054894 increased its inhibitory potency in CCL20/CCR6 chemotaxis by 10-fold. The functional selectivity of PF-07054894 for inhibition of CCR6 relative to CCR7 and CXCR2 is estimated to be at least 50- and 150-fold, respectively. When administered orally to naïve cynomolgus monkeys, PF-07054894 increased the frequency of CCR6+ peripheral blood T cells, suggesting that blockade of CCR6 inhibited homeostatic migration of T cells from blood to tissues. PF-07054894 inhibited interleukin-23-induced mouse skin ear swelling to a similar extent as genetic ablation of CCR6. PF-07054894 caused an increase in cell surface CCR6 in mouse and monkey B cells, which was recapitulated in mouse splenocytes in vitro. In conclusion, PF-07054894 is a potent and functionally selective CCR6 antagonist that blocks CCR6-mediated chemotaxis in vitro and in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The chemokine receptor, C-C chemoattractant cytokine (chemokine) receptor 6 (CCR6) plays a key role in the migration of pathogenic lymphocytes and dendritic cells into sites of inflammation. (R)-4-((2-(((1,4-Dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)(1-methylcyclopentyl)methyl)amino)-3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-en-1-yl)amino)-3-hydroxy-N,N-dimethylpicolinamide (PF-07054894) is a novel CCR6 small molecule antagonist that illustrates the importance of binding kinetics in achieving pharmacological potency and selectivity. Orally administered PF-07054894 blocks homeostatic and pathogenic functions of CCR6, suggesting that it is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

CXCR1 and its downstream NF-κB inflammation signaling pathway as a key target of Guanxinning injection for myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Guanxinning Injection (GXNI) is used clinically to treat cardiac injury, but its active components and mode of action remains unclear. Therefore, a myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) model-based integrated strategy including function evaluation, RNA-seq analysis, molecular docking, and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) was employed to elucidate the effect and mechanism of GXNI and its main ingredient on cardiac injury. These results revealed that GXNI significantly improved cardiac dysfunction and myocardial injury in I/R mice. RNA-seq analysis clarified that CXCR1-mediated interleukin-8 pathway played a critical role in MIRI. Molecular docking screening identified danshensu (DSS) as the major active components of GXNI targeting CXCR1 protein, which was confirmed in an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced cardiomyocytes damage model showing that GXNI and DSS reduced the protein expression of CXCR1 and its downstream NF-κB, COX-2, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. CETSA and isothermal dose-response fingerprint curves confirmed that DSS combined with CXCR1 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, GXNI and DSS significantly decreased the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α and the number of neutrophils in post I/R myocardial tissue. In conclusion, this study revealed that GXNI and its active components DSS exert inhibitory effects on inflammatory factor release and leukocyte infiltration to improve I/R-induced myocardial injury by down-regulating CXCR1-NF-κB-COX-2/ICAM-1/VCAM-1 pathway.

Improvement in insulin sensitivity and prevention of high fat diet-induced liver pathology using a CXCR2 antagonist

BACKGROUND

Liver pathology (LP) characteristic of non-alcoholic fatty acid disease (NAFLD)/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a prevalent co-morbidity of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Accumulating evidence indicates that neutrophils driving insulin resistance (IR), including hepatic IR, precipitate T2D-associated NAFLD/NASH. We hypothesized that targeting neutrophil accumulation into insulin-sensitive tissues in mice using a CXCR2 antagonist under T2D-precipitating high fat diet (HFD) could improve insulin sensitivity and prevent the progression towards liver pathology reminiscent of NAFLD/NASH.

METHODS

Mice were age-matched and on standard rodent chow prior to 1:1 randomization into control and HFD formulated with the CXCR2 antagonist AZD5069 or with biologically inactive substitute. They were monitored for metabolic changes including insulin sensitivity using the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and hepatic histopathologic evaluation in H&E-stained sections as well as via immunofluorescence microscopy of liver sections for leukocyte markers, collagen 1A1 formation, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), and galectin-3 expression, for 16 weeks. Statistical tests used to determine significant differences among study groups and outcomes include Student's t-test, one-way ANOVA, repeated measures two-way ANOVA, and Fisher's exact test, depending on the analytical question.

RESULTS

Compared to mice on HFD, mice in the AZD5069-formulated HFD exhibited improved insulin sensitivity, a modest reduction in weight gain, and a significant improvement in LP and markers related to NAFLD/NASH. Mice in the AZD5069-formulated HFD also exhibited reduced neutrophil accumulation into the liver at the end of the 16 week study period.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show, for the first time, the effectiveness of a selective CXCR2 antagonist to improve insulin sensitivity, concomitantly preventing the progression towards LP characteristic of NAFLD/NASH. This represents a novel approach to target IR and developing LP under T2D-susceptible conditions using a single agent. Furthermore, our data extend the growing evidence in support of neutrophils as a leukocyte population that imprints and maintains a chronic inflammatory state in the progression of dysregulated metabolism in liver-specific co-morbid conditions.

Radiotracers for Bone Marrow Infection Imaging

INTRODUCTION

Radiotracers are widely used in medical imaging, using techniques of gamma-camera imaging (scintigraphy and SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET). In bone marrow infection, there is no single routine test available that can detect infection with sufficiently high diagnostic accuracy. Here, we review radiotracers used for imaging of bone marrow infection, also known as osteomyelitis, with a focus on why these molecules are relevant for the task, based on their physiological uptake mechanisms. The review comprises [67Ga]Ga-citrate, radiolabelled leukocytes, radiolabelled nanocolloids (bone marrow) and radiolabelled phosphonates (bone structure), and [18F]FDG as established radiotracers for bone marrow infection imaging. Tracers that are under development or testing for this purpose include [68Ga]Ga-citrate, [18F]FDG, [18F]FDS and other non-glucose sugar analogues, [15O]water, [11C]methionine, [11C]donepezil, [99mTc]Tc-IL-8, [68Ga]Ga-Siglec-9, phage-display selected peptides, and the antimicrobial peptide [99mTc]Tc-UBI29-41 or [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-UBI29-41.

CONCLUSION

Molecular radiotracers allow studies of physiological processes such as infection. None of the reviewed molecules are ideal for the imaging of infections, whether bone marrow or otherwise, but each can give information about a separate aspect such as physiology or biochemistry. Knowledge of uptake mechanisms, pitfalls, and challenges is useful in both the use and development of medically relevant radioactive tracers.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 is a myokine induced by palmitate and is required for myogenesis in mouse satellite cells

AIM

The functional significance of the myokines, cytokines and peptides produced and released by muscle cells has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to identify a myokine with increased secretion levels in muscle cells due to saturated fatty acids and to examine the role of the identified myokine in the regulation of myogenesis.

METHODS

Human primary myotubes and mouse C2C12 myotubes were used to identify the myokine; its secretion was stimulated by palmitate loading. The role of the identified myokine in the regulation of the activation, proliferation, differentiation and self-renewal was examined in mouse satellite cells (skeletal muscle stem cells).

RESULTS

Palmitate loading promoted the secretion of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) in human primary myotubes, and it also increased CXCL1 gene expression level in C2C12 myotubes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Palmitate loading increased the production of reactive oxygen species along with the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling. Pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB signalling attenuated the increase in CXCL1 gene expression induced by palmitate and hydrogen peroxide. Palmitate loading significantly increased CXC receptor 2 gene expression in undifferentiated cells. CXCL1 knockdown attenuated proliferation and myotube formation by satellite cells, with reduced self-renewal. CXCL1 knockdown also significantly decreased the Notch intracellular domain protein level.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that secretion of the myokine CXCL1 is stimulated by saturated fatty acids and that CXCL1 promotes myogenesis from satellite cells to maintain skeletal muscle homeostasis.

Activity of chemokines in prostate and renal tumors and their potential role as future therapeutic targets

Chemokines are a class of low-molecular-weight proteins that induce chemotaxis and are implicated in the modulation of angiogenesis. The imbalance among angiogenic and antiangiogenic chemokines can promote the development of several conditions, including chronic inflammation, dysplastic transformation and cancer. In this review, we describe the activity and clinical significance of chemokines in prostate and renal tumors and provide an update on ongoing studies in this setting.

A combination of in vitro techniques for efficient discovery of functional monoclonal antibodies against human CXC chemokine receptor-2 (CXCR2)

BACKGROUND

Development of functional monoclonal antibodies against intractable GPCR targets.

RESULTS

Identification of structured peptides mimicking the ligand binding site, their use in panning to enrich for a population of binders, and the subsequent challenge of this population with receptor overexpressing cells leads to functional monoclonal antibodies.

CONCLUSION

The combination of techniques provides a successful strategic approach for the development of functional monoclonal antibodies against CXCR2 in a relatively small campaign.

SIGNIFICANCE

The presented combination of techniques might be applicable for other, notoriously difficult, GPCR targets.

SUMMARY

The CXC chemokine receptor-2 (CXCR2) is a member of the large 'family A' of G-protein-coupled-receptors and is overexpressed in various types of cancer cells. CXCR2 is activated by binding of a number of ligands, including interleukin 8 (IL-8) and growth-related protein α (Gro-α). Monoclonal antibodies capable of blocking the ligand-receptor interaction are therefore of therapeutic interest; however, the development of biological active antibodies against highly structured GPCR proteins is challenging. Here we present a combination of techniques that improve the discovery of functional monoclonal antibodies against the native CXCR2 receptor. The IL-8 binding site of CXCR2 was identified by screening peptide libraries with the IL-8 ligand, and then reconstructed as soluble synthetic peptides. These peptides were used as antigens to probe an antibody fragment phage display library to obtain subpopulations binding to the IL-8 binding site of CXCR2. Further enrichment of the phage population was achieved by an additional selection round with CXCR2 overexpressing cells as a different antigen source. The scFvs from the CXCR2 specific phage clones were sequenced and converted into monoclonal antibodies. The obtained antibodies bound specifically to CXCR2 expressing cells and inhibited the IL-8 and Gro-α induced ß-arrestin recruitment with IC50 values of 0.3 and 0.2 nM, respectively, and were significantly more potent than the murine monoclonal antibodies (18 and 19 nM, respectively) obtained by the classical hybridoma technique, elicited with the same peptide antigen. According to epitope mapping studies, the antibody efficacy is largely defined by N-terminal epitopes comprising the IL-8 and Gro-α binding sites. The presented strategic combination of in vitro techniques, including the use of different antigen sources, is a powerful alternative for the development of functional monoclonal antibodies by the classical hybridoma technique, and might be applicable to other GPCR targets.

Diagnostic value of interleukin-8 in colorectal cancer: a case-control study and meta-analysis

AIM

To assess the diagnostic value of serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the detection of colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

An original study was conducted to explore the potential value of IL-8 in CRC diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed and the area under the curve (AUC) value was calculated. PUBMED and EMBASE were searched (to October, 2013), supplemented with manual screening for relevant publications. Meta-analysis methods were applied to pool sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios and to construct a summary receiver-operating characteristic (sROC) curve. Heterogeneity across studies was checked by the I(2) test and Deek's funnel plot method was applied to test publication bias.

RESULTS

In our original study, serum IL-8 yielded an AUC of 0.742 [95%CI: 0.635-0.849]. The sensitivity and specificity were 85.42% and 54.05%, respectively, at a cut-off value of 5.39. In this meta-analysis, we included five studies with 668 CRC patients and 374 controls and one study in our own center with 48 CRC patients and 37 controls. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of IL-8 were 0.69 (95%CI: 0.42-0.87) and 0.85 (95%CI: 0.68-0.94) for CRC detection. Besides, the area under the sROC curve was 0.86 (95%CI: 0.82-0.88). Subgroup analysis suggested that there was no heterogeneity in the Asian subgroup but some in the European subgroup. In addition, no publication bias was found according to the Deek's funnel plot asymmetry test.

CONCLUSION

Serum IL-8 is a promising biomarker for CRC detection and may become a clinically useful tool to identify high-risk patients.

Interleukin-8 promotes cell migration through integrin αvβ6 upregulation in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC), which is notorious for high morbidity and mortality around the world, shows a predilection for metastasis to liver. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine with a defining CXC amino acid motif, has been reported to promote CRC cell migration and is associated with poor prognosis of CRC. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of IL-8-mediated migration remains obscure. In this study, we first demonstrated the cross talk between IL-8 and integrin αvβ6. We analyzed 139 human CRC samples, and found that the immunohistochemical expression of αvβ6 was significantly correlated with expression of IL-8. Furthermore, IL-8 increased the migration through integrin αvβ6 in human CRC cells, and both CXCR1 and CXCR2 were primarily involved during the process. IL-8 upregulated αvβ6 expression in a dose-dependent manner through activation of ERK and Ets-1 signaling pathway. Taken together, our results indicated that IL-8 enhances the migration of CRC cells by increasing αvβ6 integrin expression through the ERK/Ets-1 pathway. Targeting integrin αvβ6 in IL-8 expressing tumors might be a potential therapeutic strategy for CRC patients.

CXC and CC chemokines as angiogenic modulators in nonhaematological tumors

Chemokines are a superfamily of structurally homologous heparin-binding proteins that includes potent inducers and inhibitors of angiogenesis. The imbalance between angiogenic and angiostatic chemokine activities can lead to abnormalities, such as chronic inflammation, dysplastic transformation, and even tumor development and spreading. In this review, we summarize the current literature regarding the role of chemokines as modulators of tumor angiogenesis and their potential role as therapeutic targets in patients with nonhaematological tumors.

Blockade of CXCR2 signalling: A potential therapeutic target for preventing neutrophil-mediated inflammatory diseases

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) play a key role in host innate immune responses by migrating to the sites of inflammation. Furthermore, PMN recruitment also plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of a plethora of inflammatory disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gram negative sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), lung injury, and arthritis. Of note, chemokine-dependent signalling is implicated in the amplification of immune responses by virtue of its role in PMN chemotaxis in most of the inflammatory diseases. It has been clinically established that impediment of PMN recruitment ameliorates disease severity and provides relief in majority of other immune-associated disorders. This review focuses on different novel approaches clinically proven to be effective in blocking chemokine signalling associated with PMN recruitment that includes CXCR2 antagonists, chemokine analogs, anti-CXCR2 monoclonal antibodies, and CXCR2 knock-out models. It also highlights the significance of the utility of nanoparticles in drugs used for blocking migration of PMN to the sites of inflammation.

High-resolution mass spectrometry and partial de novo sequencing constitute a useful approach for determining the profile of chemokine secretion following the stimulation of human intestinal epithelial cells

RATIONALE

Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) secrete many chemokines in response to proinflammatory stimuli. We investigated their role in the mucosal inflammatory response in the intestine, by developing a non-targeted approach for analyzing the profile of peptides secreted by stimulated IEC, based on differential mass spectrometry analysis.

METHODS

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was incubated with IEC as a proinflammatory stimulus. Differential peptidomic analysis was then carried out, comparing the profiles of IEC with and without LPS stimulation. A mass spectrometry procedure was developed, based on a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) approach without enzymatic pretreatment of the peptides. Partial de novo sequencing was carried out by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR), and the native peptides in the culture media were identified.

RESULTS

A major ion (m/z 7862.51) detected after stimulation was identified as GRO alpha and a minor ion (m/z 8918.17) was identified as IL-8. ELISA-based comparisons gave results consistent with those obtained by MS. Surprisingly, GRO alpha was secreted in amounts 5 to 15 times higher than those for IL-8 in our cellular model. The truncated form of IL-8, resulting from activation, was detected and distinguished from the native peptide by MS, whereas this was not possible with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

CONCLUSIONS

Mass spectrometric analysis of culture media can be used to identify the principal peptides produced in response to the stimulation of IEC, and their metabolites. Mass spectrometry provides a comprehensive view of the chemokines and peptides potentially involved in gut inflammation, making it possible to identify the most appropriate peptides for further quantification.

Nicotinamide glycolates antagonize CXCR2 activity through an intracellular mechanism

The chemokine receptors CXCR1/2 are involved in a variety of inflammatory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Several classes of allosteric small-molecule CXCR1/2 antagonists have been developed. The data presented here describe the cellular pharmacology of the acid and ester forms of the nicotinamide glycolate pharmacophore, a potent antagonist of CXCR2 signaling by the chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL8. Ester forms of the nicotinamide glycolate antagonized CXCL1-stimulated chemotaxis (IC(50) = 42 nM) and calcium flux (IC(50) = 48 nM) in human neutrophils, but they were inactive in cell-free assays of (125)I-CXCL8/CXCR2 binding and CXCL1-stimulated guanosine 5'-O-(3-[(35)S]thio)triphosphate ([(35)S]GTPgammaS) exchange. Acid forms of the nicotinamide glycolate were inactive in whole-cell assays of chemotaxis and calcium flux, but they inhibited (125)I-CXCL8/CXCR2 binding and CXCL1-stimulated [(35)S]GTPgammaS exchange. The (3)H ester was internalized by neutrophils and rapidly converted to the (3)H acid in a concentrative process. The (3)H acid was not internalized by neutrophils but was sufficient alone to inhibit CXCL1-stimulated calcium flux in neutrophils that were permeabilized by electroporation to permit its direct access to the cell interior. Neutrophil efflux of the acid was probenecid-sensitive, consistent with an organic acid transporter. These data support a mechanism wherein the nicotinamide glycolate ester serves as a lipophilic precursor that efficiently translocates into the intracellular neutrophil space to liberate the active acid form of the pharmacophore, which then acts at an intracellular site. Rapid inactivation by plasma esterases precluded use in vivo, but the mechanism elucidated provided insight for new nicotinamide pharmacophore classes with therapeutic potential.

SB265610 is an allosteric, inverse agonist at the human CXCR2 receptor

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In several previous studies, the C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR)2 antagonist 1-(2-bromo-phenyl)-3-(7-cyano-3H-benzotriazol-4-yl)-urea (SB265610) has been described as binding competitively with the endogenous agonist. This is in contrast to many other chemokine receptor antagonists, where the mechanism of antagonism has been described as allosteric.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

To determine whether it displays a unique mechanism among the chemokine receptor antagonists, the mode of action of SB265610 was investigated at the CXCR2 receptor using radioligand and [(35)S]-GTPgammaS binding approaches in addition to chemotaxis of human neutrophils.

KEY RESULTS

In equilibrium saturation binding studies, SB265610 depressed the maximal binding of [(125)I]-interleukin-8 ([(125)I]-IL-8) without affecting the K(d). In contrast, IL-8 was unable to prevent binding of [(3)H]-SB265610. Kinetic binding experiments demonstrated that this was not an artefact of irreversible or slowly reversible binding. In functional experiments, SB265610 caused a rightward shift of the concentration-response curves to IL-8 and growth-related oncogene alpha, but also a reduction in maximal response elicited by each agonist. Fitting these data to an operational allosteric ternary complex model suggested that, once bound, SB265610 completely blocks receptor activation. SB265610 also inhibited basal [(35)S]-GTPgammaS binding in this preparation.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Taken together, these data suggest that SB265610 behaves as an allosteric inverse agonist at the CXCR2 receptor, binding at a region distinct from the agonist binding site to prevent receptor activation, possibly by interfering with G protein coupling.

Functional activity of CXCL8 receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, on human malignant melanoma progression

We examined the autocrine/paracrine role of interleukin-8 (CXCL8) and the functional significance of CXCL8 receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, in human malignant melanoma proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis. We found that a panel of seven cell lines, even though at different extent, secreted CXCL8 protein, and expressed CXCR1 and CXCR2 independently from the CXCL8 expression, but depending on the oxygen level. In fact, hypoxic exposure increases the expression of CXCR1 and CXCR2. The cell proliferation of both M20 and A375SM lines, expressing similar levels of both CXCR1 and CXCR2 but secreting low and high amounts of CXCL8, respectively, was significantly enhanced by CXCL8 exposure and reduced by CXCL8, CXCR1 and CXCR2 neutralising antibodies, indicating the autocrine/paracrine role of CXCL8 in melanoma cell proliferation. Moreover, an increased invasion and migration in response to CXCL8 was observed in several cell lines, and a further enhancement evidenced under hypoxic conditions. A CXCL8-dependent in vivo vessel formation, evaluated through a matrigel assay, was also demonstrated. Furthermore, when neutralising antibodies against CXCR1 or CXCR2 were used, only the involvement of CXCR2, but not CXCR1 was observed on cell migration and invasion, while both receptors played a role in angiogenesis. In summary, our data demonstrate that CXCL8 induces cell proliferation and angiogenesis through both receptors and that CXCR2 plays an important role in regulating the CXCL8-mediated invasive and migratory behaviour of human melanoma cells. Thus, blocking the CXCL8 signalling axis promises an improvement for the therapy of cancer and, in particular, of metastatic melanoma.

The functional significance behind expressing two IL-8 receptor types on PMN

PMN are critical to innate immunity and are fundamental to antibacterial defense. To localize to sites of infection, PMN possess receptors that detect chemoattractant stimuli elicited at the site, such as chemokines, complement split products, or bioactive lipids. Signaling through these receptors stimulates chemotaxis toward the site of infection but also activates a number of biochemical processes, with the result that PMN kill invading bacteria. PMN possess two receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, for the N-terminal ELR motif-containing CXC chemokines, although only two chemokine members bind both receptors and the remainder binding only CXCR2. This peculiar pattern in receptor specificity has drawn considerable interest and investigation into whether signaling through each receptor might impart unique properties on the PMN. Indeed, at first glance, CXCR1 and CXCR2 appear to be functionally redundant; however, there are differences. Considering these proinflammatory activities of activating PMN through chemokine receptors, there has been great interest in the possibility that blocking CXCR1 and CXCR2 on PMN will provide a therapeutic benefit. The literature examining CXCR1 and CXCR2 in PMN function during human and modeled diseases will be reviewed, asking whether the functional differences can be perceived based on alterations in the role PMN play in these processes.

Effect of morphine sulfate on neonatal neutrophil chemotaxis

BACKGROUND

Opioids have been increasingly used for pain control in the neonatal intensive care unit. Data from adult human studies have demonstrated suppressive effects of morphine sulfate on the immune system, owing in part to its inhibition of chemotaxis.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of morphine exposure on chemotaxis of newborn neutrophils compared with adult neutrophils.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected from adult controls and from the umbilical cord of healthy full-term newborns. Neutrophils were isolated and then exposed to morphine sulfate. Chemotaxis assays were performed using interleukin (IL)-8 as the chemoattractant. The migrated neutrophils were quantitated by flow cytometry. IL-8 receptor expression was evaluated by staining with an anti-IL-8 receptor-specific antibody. Chemotaxis and IL-8 receptor expression were compared between newborn and adult neutrophils.

RESULTS

There was no difference in random migration between adult (n=10) and newborn neutrophils (n=14). IL-8 efficiently induced chemotaxis of both adult and newborn neutrophils, although newborn neutrophils exhibited significantly decreased chemotaxis compared with adult neutrophils: 389+/-197 newborn cells versus 731+/-190 adult cells (P=0.025). Exposure to morphine sulfate did not decrease chemotaxis of adult neutrophils but did modestly impair chemotaxis of newborn neutrophils. After exposure to morphine sulfate, adult neutrophils showed no difference in IL-8 receptor expression, whereas newborn neutrophils expressed fewer IL-8 receptors.

CONCLUSIONS

Newborn neutrophils had reduced chemotaxis toward IL-8. Exposure to morphine sulfate further decreased their chemotactic function. The differential effect may be explained in part by the reduction of IL-8 receptors of newborn neutrophils after morphine exposure.

Intracellular cross-talk between the GPCR CXCR1 and CXCR2: role of carboxyl terminus phosphorylation sites

In the present study, we used the human chemokine receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 as a model system for the study of intracellular cross-talk between two closely related G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). In cells expressing either CXCR1 or CXCR2, exposure to the CXCL8 ligand resulted in prominent reduction in cell surface expression of the receptors. We have shown previously that the reduction in cell surface expression of CXCR1 and CXCR2, to be termed herein "down-regulation", is significantly lower in cells expressing both receptors together. Now we show that reduced receptor down-regulation was specific to the CXCR1+CXCR2 pair. Also, CXCR2 carboxyl terminus phosphorylation sites were required for inducing inhibition of CXCR1 down-regulation, and vice versa. Accordingly, phosphorylation of CXCR2 carboxyl terminus domain was intact when expressed together with CXCR1. Moreover, specific carboxyl terminus phosphorylation sites on each of the wild type receptors protected them from more severe inhibition of down-regulation, induced by joint expression with the other receptor. When concomitantly expressed, CXCR1 and CXCR2 were impaired in recycling to the plasma membrane, despite their undergoing intact dephosphorylation. Overall, we show that cross-talk between two GPCR is manifested by impairment of their intracellular trafficking, primarily of ligand-induced down-regulation, via carboxyl terminus phosphorylation sites.

Exercise induces interleukin-8 receptor (CXCR2) expression in human skeletal muscle

Exercise induces a marked increase in interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA and protein expression within skeletal muscle fibres. Interleukin-8 belongs to a subfamily of CXC chemokines containing a Glu-Leu-Arg (ELR) motif. CXC chemokines with ELR motifs are potent angiogenic factors in vivo, and IL-8 has been shown to act as an angiogenic factor in human microvascular endothelial cells by binding to the CXC receptor 2 (CXCR2). In the present study, we examined the expression of the interleukin-8 receptor CXCR2 in human skeletal muscle biopsies after concentric exercise. Healthy volunteers were randomized to either 3 h of cycle ergometer exercise at 60% of maximum oxygen uptake (n = 8) or rest (n = 7). Muscle biopsy samples were obtained from the vastus lateralis before exercise (0 h), immediately after exercise (3 h), and at 4.5, 6, 9 and 24 h. Skeletal muscle CXCR2 mRNA increased significantly in response to exercise (3 and 4.5 h) when compared with pre-exercise samples. Expression of the CXCR2 protein was low in skeletal muscle biopsies before exercise and at the end of the exercise period (3 h). However, at 4.5-9 h, an increase in CXCR2 protein was seen in the vascular endothelium, and also slightly within the muscle fibres, as determined by immunohistochemistry. The present study demonstrates that concentric exercise induces CXCR2 mRNA and protein expression in the vascular endothelial cells of the muscle fibres. These findings suggest that muscle-derived IL-8 may act locally to stimulate angiogenesis through CXCR2 receptor signalling.

Time-dependent alterations in gene expression of interleukin-8 in the bronchial epithelium of horses with recurrent airway obstruction

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate time-dependent alterations in gene expression of chemokines in bronchial epithelium of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)-affected horses and whether alterations resulted from increases in gene expression of interleukin (IL)-17 in cells isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

ANIMALS

8 RAO-susceptible horses and 9 control horses.

PROCEDURE

In 2 experiments, both groups of horses were evaluated after being maintained on pasture and after being stabled and fed dusty hay for 1, 14, 35, and 49 days (experiment 1) or 14 and 28 days (experiment 2). In experiment 1, gene expression of IL-8, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in epithelium and IL-8, IL-17, and TLR4 in BALF cells was measured. In experiment 2, bronchial biopsy specimens were evaluated for IL-8 immunoreactivity.

RESULTS

In RAO-susceptible horses after 14 days of challenge exposure, there was a 3- and 10-fold increase in gene expression of IL-8 for epithelial and BALF cells and an increase in IL-8 immunoreactivity in epithelial cells. Challenge exposure failed to alter gene expression of CXCL1, GM-CSF, G-CSF, and TLR4 in epithelial cells of any horses at any time point. During challenge exposure, gene expression of BALF cell IL-17 was downregulated in control horses (day 1) and upregulated in RAO-affected horses (day 35).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Epithelial-derived IL-8 may promote airway neutrophilia, but the inciting stimulus is unlikely to be IL-17 because upregulation of this gene is subsequent to that of IL-8 in epithelial cells.

Autocrine role of interleukin-8 in induction of endothelial cell proliferation, survival, migration and MMP-2 production and angiogenesis

Interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL8), a paracrine angiogenic factor, modulates multiple biologic functions in CXCR1 and CXCR2 expressing endothelial cells. Several reports suggest that inflammation, infection, cellular stress and tumor presence regulate IL-8 production in endothelial cells. In the present study, we test the hypothesis that IL-8 regulates multiple biological effects in endothelial cells in an autocrine manner. We examined the autocrine role of IL-8 in regulating angiogenesis by using a neutralizing antibody to IL-8, CXCR1 or CXCR2 in human vein umbilical endothelial cell (HUVEC) and human dermal microvascular endothelial cell (HMEC). Neutralizing antibody to IL-8, CXCR1 or CXCR2 inhibited endothelial cell proliferation, and MMP-2 production as compared to cells cultured with medium alone or control antibody. In addition, we observed that the number of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in anti-IL-8, anti-CXCR1 and anti-CXCR2 treated endothelial cells, which coincided with decreased survival-associated gene expression. We observed reduced migration of endothelial cells treated with anti-IL-8 and anti-CXCR2 antibody, but not anti-CXCR1 antibody as compared to controls. Further, we observed an inhibition of capillary tube formation and neovascularization following treatment with anti-IL-8, anti-CXCR1 and anti-CXCR2 antibodies. Together these data suggest that IL-8 functions as an important autocrine growth and angiogenic factor in regulating multiple biological activities in endothelial cells.

The CXCR1 tail mediates beta1 integrin-dependent cell migration via MAP kinase signaling

In this study, we examined how IL-8 induces leukocyte migration on major beta1 integrin ligands derived from the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin. We assessed individual contributions of signaling by IL-8 receptors by transfection of CXCR1 and CXCR2 into rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells and human monocytic THP-1 cells. CXCR1 expressing cells migrated on the fibronectin ligands for alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1 integrins in response to IL-8, whereas CXCR2 expressing cells did not. RBL cells expressing the chimeric CXCR1 receptor containing the cytoplasmic tail of CXCR2 had greatly blunted migration, while cells expressing the CXCR2 chimera with the tail of CXCR1 had augmented migration. Last, inhibitors of p38 and JNK MAP kinases blocked IL-8-induced migration in CXCR1+ cells. We conclude that IL-8 stimulated beta1 integrin-mediated leukocyte migration on fibronectin through CXCR1 is dependent on the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of CXCR1 and subsequent p38 and JNK MAPK signaling.

Constitutive expression of growth regulated oncogene (gro) in human colon carcinoma cells with different metastatic potential and its role in regulating their metastatic phenotype

The purpose of this study was to examine the expression and functional significance of the growth-regulated oncogene (gro) family in human colon carcinoma growth and metastasis. We examined constitutive expression of CXCL1 (gro-alpha), CXCL2 (gro-beta), CXCL3 (gro-gamma) and their receptor, CXCR2 in human colon carcinoma cells with different metastatic potentials. Non-metastatic and low metastatic cells expressed lower levels of CXCL1 and CXCR2 mRNA and protein as compared to high metastatic colon carcinoma cells. No difference in CXCL2 and CXCL3 mRNA expression levels was observed. Colon carcinoma cells expressing higher levels of CXCL1 exhibit increased proliferation and invasive potential. Furthermore, exogenous addition of recombinant human CXCL1 significantly enhanced the proliferation and invasiveness of colon carcinoma cells. Furthermore, treatment of KM12C cells with exogenous CXCL1 enhanced their invasiveness. Neutralizing antibody to CXCL1 in combination with antibody to CXCR2 inhibited highly metastatic KM12L4 (high CXCL1 expressor) cell proliferation. These data demonstrate that the constitutive expression of CXCL1 and its receptor CXCR2 is associated with metastatic potential and modulates colon cancer cell proliferation and an invasive phenotype.

99mTc-labeled interleukin-8 for scintigraphic detection of pulmonary infections

BACKGROUND

Interleukin (IL)-8 is a chemotactic cytokine that binds with high affinity to receptors on neutrophils. Previously we showed that (99m)Tc-labeled IL-8 is highly suitable for scintigraphic imaging in rabbit models of IM infection and of colitis.

STUDY DESIGN

(99m)Tc-labeled IL-8 was tested for its potential to image pulmonary infection in three experimental rabbit models: aspergillosis in immunocompromised rabbits, pneumococcal (Gram-positive) pneumonia, and Escherichia coli-induced (Gram-negative) pneumonia in immunocompetent rabbits (four rabbits in each group). A derivative of hydrazinonicotinamide was used as bifunctional coupling agent to label IL-8 with (99m)Tc. Biodistribution of (99m)Tc IL-8 was determined both by gamma-camera imaging and by counting dissected tissues at 6 h after injection.

RESULTS

(99m)Tc IL-8 enabled early (within 2 h after injection) and excellent visualization of localization and extent of pulmonary infection in each of the three experimental models of pulmonary infection. Uptake of (99m)Tc IL-8 in the infected lung and the contralateral lung was (in percentage of the injected dose per gram of tissue +/- SEM) at 6 h after injection 0.63 +/- 0.12 and 0.12 +/- 0.02 (aspergillosis), 0.89 +/- 0.04 and 0.44 +/- 0.04 (pneumococcal pneumonia), and 1.53 +/- 0.12 and 0.36 +/- 0.06 (E coli pneumonia), respectively. In the E coli model, uptake of (99m)Tc IL-8 in the focus of infection even exceeded uptake in the kidneys, the main clearing organs.

CONCLUSION

(99m)Tc IL-8 offers many advantages over the conventionally used radiopharmaceuticals to image pulmonary infection, (67)Ga citrate and radiolabeled leukocytes, ie, rapid and easy preparation, short time span between injection and imaging, low radiation burden and, most importantly, clear delineation of the infectious foci.

Semisynthesis and application of carboxyfluorescein-labelled biologically active human interleukin-8

Human interleukin 8 (hIL-8), a neutrophil-activating and chemotactic cytokine, is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of a large number of neutrophil-driven inflammatory diseases. This cytokine belongs to the family of CXC chemokines, mediating the response through binding to the seven-transmembrane helical G protein-coupled receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. For the first time, we employed the expressed protein ligation (EPL) strategy to chemokine synthesis and subsequent modification. The ligation site was chosen with respect to the position of four cysteine residues within the hIL-8 sequence. Ligation with synthetic peptides that carry cysteine at their N-termini resulted in full-length hIL-8 and the specifically carboxyfluorescein-labelled analogue [K69(CF)]hIL-8(1-77). [K69(CF)]hIL-8(1-77) was fully active as shown by inhibition of cAMP production. Furthermore, this analogue was used to study receptor internalisation in human promyelotic HL60 cells that express CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors. Binding and quenching studies were performed on HL60 membranes and suggest that the C-terminus of IL-8 is accessible to solvent in the receptor-bound state. Thus, we introduce here a powerful approach that allows the site-specific incorporation of chemical modifications into the sequence of chemokines, which opens new avenues for studying IL-8 function.

Cytokine-mediated inflammation in acute lung injury

Clinical acute lung injury (ALI) is a major cause of acute respiratory failure in critically ill patients. There is considerable experimental and clinical evidence that pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines play a major role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory-induced lung injury from sepsis, pneumonia, aspiration, and shock. A recent multi-center clinical trial found that a lung-protective ventilatory strategy reduces mortality by 22% in patients with ALI. Interestingly, this protective ventilatory strategy was associated with a marked reduction in the number of neutrophils and the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines released into the airspaces of the injured lung. Further research is needed to establish the contribution of cytokines to both the pathogenesis and resolution of ALI.

On the mechanism and significance of ligand-induced internalization of human neutrophil chemokine receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2

It is well established that leukocyte chemotactic receptors, a subset of G protein-coupled receptors, undergo endocytosis after stimulation by ligand. However, the significance of this phenomenon to cell motility and other important leukocyte functions induced by chemoattractants has not been clearly defined. Here we show that in primary human neutrophils, the threshold levels of agonist required for endocytosis of the chemotactic receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 were approximately 10-fold or higher than those needed for maximal chemotactic and calcium flux responses. Moreover, when stimulated by agonists at concentrations that are high enough for chemotaxis but too low for receptor endocytosis, neutrophil CXCR1 and CXCR2 could be reactivated in response to repeated application of the same agonist. Both receptors were excluded from Triton X-100-insoluble lipid rafts, and at high agonist concentrations were rapidly endocytosed by a clathrin/rab5/dynamin-dependent pathway. These data support the conclusion that neutrophil migration in response to CXCR1 or CXCR2 agonists is not dependent on endocytosis of CXCR1 or CXCR2. Rather than being integral to the process of cell migration, receptor endocytosis may be a terminal stop signal when cells reach the focus of inflammation where the chemoattractant concentrations are the highest.

Ventilation-induced Neutrophil Infiltration Depends on c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase

Positive pressure ventilation with large VTs has been shown to cause release of cytokines, including macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), a functional equivalent of human interleukin-8. The mechanisms regulating ventilation-induced cytokine production are unclear. Based on our previous in vitro model of lung cell stretch, we hypothesized that high VT ventilation-induced MIP-2 production is dependent on the activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We exposed C57BL/6 mice to high VT (30 ml/kg) or low VT (6 ml/kg) mechanical ventilation for 5 hours. High VT ventilation-induced neutrophil migration into the lung, MIP-2 protein production, MIP-2 messenger RNA expression, and JNK activation. Large VT ventilation of JNK knockout mice and pharmacologic JNK inhibition with SP600125 attenuated neutrophil sequestration and blocked MIP-2 messenger RNA expression and MIP-2 production. We conclude that lung cell stretch in vivo results in increased lung neutrophil sequestration and increased MIP-2 production, which was, at least in part, dependent upon the JNK pathway.

IL-8 directly enhanced endothelial cell survival, proliferation, and matrix metalloproteinases production and regulated angiogenesis

IL-8, a member of the chemokine family, has been shown to play an important role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism of IL-8-mediated angiogenesis. We examined the direct role of IL-8 in angiogenesis by examining IL-8 receptor expression on endothelial cells and their proliferation, survival, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) production. We demonstrate that HUVEC and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells constitutively express CXCR1 and CXCR2 mRNA and protein. Recombinant human IL-8 induced endothelial cell proliferation and capillary tube organization while neutralization of IL-8 by anti-IL-8 Ab blocks IL-8-mediated capillary tube organization. Incubation of endothelial cells with IL-8 inhibited endothelial cell apoptosis and enhanced antiapoptotic gene expression. Endothelial cells incubated with IL-8 had higher levels of Bcl-x(L):Bcl-x(S) and Bcl-2:Bax ratios. Furthermore, incubation of endothelial cells with IL-8 up-regulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 production and mRNA expression. Our data suggest that IL-8 directly enhanced endothelial cell proliferation, survival, and MMP expression in CXCR1- and CXCR2-expressing endothelial cells and regulated angiogenesis.

Interactions of lung stretch, hyperoxia, and MIP-2 production in ventilator-induced lung injury

The use of positive pressure mechanical ventilation can cause ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). We hypothesized that hyperoxia in combination with large tidal volumes (VT) would accentuate noncardiogenic edema and neutrophil infiltration in VILI and be dependent on stretch-induced macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) production. In rats ventilated with VT 20 ml/kg, there was pulmonary edema formation that was significantly increased by hyperoxia. Total lung neutrophil infiltration and MIP-2 in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were significantly elevated, in animals exposed to high VT both on room air (RA) and with hyperoxia. Hyperoxia markedly augmented the migration of neutrophils into the alveoli. Anti-MIP-2 antibody blocked migration of neutrophils into the alveoli in RA by 51% and with hyperoxia by 65%. We concluded that neutrophil migration into the alveoli was dependent on stretch-induced MIP-2 production. Hyperoxia significantly increased edema formation and neutrophil migration into the alveoli with VT 20 ml/kg, although BAL MIP-2 levels were nearly identical to VT 20 ml/kg with RA, suggesting that other mechanisms may be involved in hyperoxia-augmented neutrophil alveolar content in VILI.

Effects of coligand variation on the in vivo characteristics of Tc-99m-labeled interleukin-8 in detection of infection

In our previous studies, interleukin-8 (IL-8) was labeled with (99m)Tc using hydrazinonicotinamide (HYNIC) as bifunctional coupling agent and tricine as coligand. This preparation showed excellent characteristics for imaging of infection in a rabbit model of soft-tissue infection. In the present study, the propylaldehyde hydrazone formulation of HYNIC was introduced to stabilize HYNIC-IL-8. (99m)Tc-HYNIC-IL-8 was prepared using 5 different coligand formulations. The effect of these coligand formulations on the in vitro characteristics and in vivo behavior of (99m)Tc-HYNIC-IL-8 was investigated. HYNIC-conjugated IL-8 was labeled with (99m)Tc in the presence of either (A) tricine, (B) ethylenediaminediacetic acid (EDDA), (C) tricine and trisodium triphenylphosphinetrisulfonate (TPPTS), (D) tricine and nicotinic acid (NIC), or (E) tricine and isonicotinic acid (ISONIC). These preparations were characterized in vitro by RP-HPLC, determination of the octanol/water partition coefficient, stability studies, and receptor binding assays. The in vivo biodistribution of the radiolabel in rabbits with E. coli-induced soft-tissue infection was determined both by gamma-camera imaging as well as by tissue counting at 6 h pi. Specific activity (MBq/microg) was highest for (ISO)NIC (up to 80) > TPPTS (40) > tricine (15) > EDDA (7). RP-HPLC and octanol/water partition coefficients showed a shift toward higher lipophilicity for the TPPTS preparation. The leukocyte receptor binding fractions were around 40-55% for all preparations except for TPPTS, which showed predominantly nonspecific binding. All preparations were stabilized in serum, but the stability in PBS was highest for NIC and TPPTS > EDDA > ISONIC > tricine. The in vivo biodistribution showed highest abscess/muscle for NIC and ISONIC (>200) > EDDA and tricine (approximately 100) > TPPTS (<40). Gamma camera imaging rapidly visualized the abscess from 2 h pi onward for all formulations. The abscess/background (A/B) at 6 h pi for ISONIC was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of tricine and the A/B of TPPTS was significantly lower (P < 0.05). IL-8 can be rapidly and easily labeled with (99m)Tc using HYNIC as a chelator in combination with various coligands. The most optimal infection imaging characteristics were found for formulations using nicotinic acid/tricine as coligand system combining a high specific activity and high in vitro stability with high abscess/muscle ratios (>200) and high abscess/background ratios (>20). Protein doses to be administered were as low as 70 ng/kg bodyweight. At these low protein doses, side effects are not to be expected in the human system. This paves the way for infection imaging studies in patients.

The CXC chemokine receptor 2, CXCR2, is the putative receptor for ELR+ CXC chemokine-induced angiogenic activity

We have previously shown that members of the ELR(+) CXC chemokine family, including IL-8; growth-related oncogenes alpha, beta, and gamma; granulocyte chemotactic protein 2; and epithelial neutrophil-activating protein-78, can mediate angiogenesis in the absence of preceding inflammation. To date, the receptor on endothelial cells responsible for chemotaxis and neovascularization mediated by these ELR(+) CXC chemokines has not been determined. Because all ELR(+) CXC chemokines bind to CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), we hypothesized that CXCR2 is the putative receptor for ELR(+) CXC chemokine-mediated angiogenesis. To test this postulate, we first determined whether cultured human microvascular endothelial cells expressed CXCR2. CXCR2 was detected in human microvascular endothelial cells at the protein level by both Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry using polyclonal Abs specific for human CXCR2. To determine whether CXCR2 played a functional role in angiogenesis, we determined whether this receptor was involved in endothelial cell chemotaxis. We found that microvascular endothelial cell chemotaxis in response to ELR(+) CXC chemokines was inhibited by anti-CXCR2 Abs. In addition, endothelial cell chemotaxis in response to ELR(+) CXC chemokines was sensitive to pertussis toxin, suggesting a role for G protein-linked receptor mechanisms in this biological response. The importance of CXCR2 in mediating ELR(+) CXC chemokine-induced angiogenesis in vivo was also demonstrated by the lack of angiogenic activity induced by ELR(+) CXC chemokines in the presence of neutralizing Abs to CXCR2 in the rat corneal micropocket assay, or in the corneas of CXCR2(-/-) mice. We thus conclude that CXCR2 is the receptor responsible for ELR(+) CXC chemokine-mediated angiogenesis.

The developing role of cytokines for imaging inflammation and infection

The diagnosis of inflammatory processes is an important goal in medicine. In some cases the diagnosis is easy, based on the clinical history and the physical examination of the patient. Other cases are more difficult to diagnose because they are asymptomatic or with non-specific symptoms. Thus, several imaging techniques have been developed for the diagnosis of inflammatory processes, from the simple X-ray to the more sophisticated computerised tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine scan. They provide different information and their role in different diseases will be discussed in this review with particular emphasis on the expanding field of the use of radiolabelled cytokines for imaging infection/inflammation. So far, IL-1, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 p40, G-CSF, IFN-gamma and EGF have been radiolabelled for in vivo targetting of different leukocyte subsets with promising results for their clinical use.

Interleukin 8, neutrophil-activating peptide-2 and GRO-alpha bind to and elicit cell activation via specific and different amino acid residues of CXCR2

The objective of this investigation was to determine the amino acid residues of the human neutrophil CXC chemokine receptor-2 (CXCR2) that are critical for binding the ligands interleukin 8 (IL-8), neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (NAP-2), and growth-related protein alpha (GROalpha) and critical for receptor-mediated signal transduction. Charged residues of the amino terminus and the first extracellular loop of CXCR2 were targeted for point mutagenesis studies. Seven separate CXCR2 mutants (Glu7, Asp9, Glu12, Asp13, Lys108, Asn110, and Lys120, all to Ala) were generated. Based on the Scatchard analysis of radioligand binding studies, the following amino acids were deemed critical for ligand binding: (i) Asp9, Glu12, Lys108, and Lys120 for IL-8 and (ii) Glu7, Asp9, and Glu12 for GROalpha. Point mutations in the amino terminus domain (Asp9 and Glu12) and the first extracellular loop (Lys108, Asn110, and Lys120) of CXCR2 reduced cell activation to all three ligands as measured by changes in intracellular calcium concentration. In conclusion, high-affinity binding of IL-8, NAP-2, and GROalpha to CXCR2 involves interaction with specific and different amino acid residues of CXCR2. Furthermore, we propose that the CXCR2 amino acid residues required for cell activation are not necessarily the same residues required for ligand binding.

Trichinella spiralis infection is mediated by MCP-1 and MIP-2, while echinococcus granulosus is strongly mediated by MCP-1, but not MIP-2

The chemokine supergene family are small proteins (8-10 KD) inducible in a number of pathophysiological processes. C-X-C family members are specific largely on neutrophils; whereas C-C chemokines act primarily on monocytes, T-cells, basophils and eosinophils. A wide variety of cell types produce chemokines in response to stimuli, including: infections, mitogens and inflammatory cytokines. Here we found that parasitic diseases, such as Trichinella spiralis and Echinococcus granulosus produce, MCP-1 (beta-chemokine) and MIP-2 (alpha-chemokine), or MCP-1, respectively. The specificity of production of these chemokines in the two parasitic diseases may help to achieve therapeutic strategies in inhibiting inflammation.

Role and Regulation of Chemokines in Rodent Models of Lung Inflammation

Acute inflammatory lung injury has been induced in rats by intrapulmonary deposition of immunoglobulin G immune complexes or instillation of bacterial lipopolysaccaride. Several juxtaposed cysteine residue (CXC) chemokines (e.g., macrophage inflammatory protein 2 [MIP-2] and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant [CINC]) and CC chemokines (MIP-1alpha, MIP-1Beta, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1]) are upregulated in these acute injury models and appear in substantial amounts in bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluids during the inflammatory response. Antibody-induced blockade of either tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha ) or the complement activation product C5a results in significant reductions in BAL levels of chemokines, causing depressed inflammatory responses and diminished lung injury. These data suggest that both TNFalpha (a product of activated macrophages) and C5a participate as positive feedback mediators, resulting in maximal expression of chemokines. These chemokines are involved in recruitment of neutrophils and activation of tissue macrophages, the collective products of which cause acute lung injury mediated by the generation of oxidants and release of proteases.

Mast Cell Migratory Response to Interleukin-8 Is Mediated Through Interaction With Chemokine Receptor CXCR2/Interleukin-8RB

To explore the role of chemokines in mast cell chemotaxis and accumulation at sites of inflammation, we first investigated the response of human mast cells to 18 different chemokines by induction of intracellular calcium mobilization in the human mast cell line, HMC-1. Only a subgroup of CXC chemokines defined by the conserved sequence motif glutamic acid-leucine-arginine (ELR) tripeptide motif, which included interleukin-8 (IL-8), growth-regulated oncogene  (GRO), neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (NAP-2), and epithelial cell–derived neutrophil activating peptide-78 (ENA-78), induced calcium flux in the cells. These observations suggested that the receptor CXCR2 (IL-8RB) should be expressed on the surface of these cells. Using the RNAse protection assay, CXCR2 mRNA, but not CXCR1 (IL-8RA) mRNA expression was detected in HMC-1 cells. Flow cytometry analysis documented the surface expression of CXCR2. A binding analysis performed with125I-IL-8 determined that there were approximately 3,600 high affinity IL-8 binding sites per HMC-1 cell, with a calculated kd of 1.2 to 2 nmol/L. The activity of this receptor was further explored using IL-8, which was found to induce dose-dependent chemotactic and haptotactic responses in both HMC-1 cells and in vitro cultured human cord blood–derived mast cells. These results show the expression of functional CXCR2 receptors on the surface of human mast cells, which may play an important role in mast cell recruitment during the genesis of an inflammatory response.

Mast Cell Migratory Response to Interleukin-8 Is Mediated Through Interaction With Chemokine Receptor CXCR2/Interleukin-8RB

To explore the role of chemokines in mast cell chemotaxis and accumulation at sites of inflammation, we first investigated the response of human mast cells to 18 different chemokines by induction of intracellular calcium mobilization in the human mast cell line, HMC-1. Only a subgroup of CXC chemokines defined by the conserved sequence motif glutamic acid-leucine-arginine (ELR) tripeptide motif, which included interleukin-8 (IL-8), growth-regulated oncogene  (GRO), neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (NAP-2), and epithelial cell–derived neutrophil activating peptide-78 (ENA-78), induced calcium flux in the cells. These observations suggested that the receptor CXCR2 (IL-8RB) should be expressed on the surface of these cells. Using the RNAse protection assay, CXCR2 mRNA, but not CXCR1 (IL-8RA) mRNA expression was detected in HMC-1 cells. Flow cytometry analysis documented the surface expression of CXCR2. A binding analysis performed with125I-IL-8 determined that there were approximately 3,600 high affinity IL-8 binding sites per HMC-1 cell, with a calculated kd of 1.2 to 2 nmol/L. The activity of this receptor was further explored using IL-8, which was found to induce dose-dependent chemotactic and haptotactic responses in both HMC-1 cells and in vitro cultured human cord blood–derived mast cells. These results show the expression of functional CXCR2 receptors on the surface of human mast cells, which may play an important role in mast cell recruitment during the genesis of an inflammatory response.

Expression and Function of the Chemokine Receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 in Sepsis

Neutrophils (polymorphonuclear neutrophils; PMN) and a redundant system of chemotactic cytokines (chemokines) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with sepsis. PMN express two cell surface receptors for the CXC chemokines, CXCR1 and CXCR2. We investigated the expression and function of these receptors in patients with severe sepsis. Compared with normal donors, CXCR2 surface expression was down-regulated by 50% on PMN from septic patients (p &lt; 0.005), while CXCR1 expression persisted. In vitro migratory responses to the CXCR1 ligand, IL-8, were similar in PMN from septic patients and normal donors. By contrast, the migratory response to the CXCR2 ligands, epithelial cell-derived neutrophil activator (ENA-78) and the growth-related oncogene proteins, was markedly suppressed in PMN from septic patients (p &lt; 0.05). Ab specific for CXCR1 blocked in vitro migration of PMN from septic patients to IL-8 (p &lt; 0.05), but not to FMLP. Thus, functionally significant down-regulation of CXCR2 occurs on PMN in septic patients. We conclude that in a complex milieu of multiple CXC chemokines, CXCR1 functions as the single dominant CXC chemokine receptor in patients with sepsis. These observations offer a potential strategy for attenuating adverse inflammation in sepsis while preserving host defenses mediated by bacteria-derived peptides such as FMLP.

The α-Chemokine Receptor CXCR4 Is Expressed on the Megakaryocytic Lineage From Progenitor to Platelets and Modulates Migration and Adhesion

CXCR4 is the receptor for the α-chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and has been shown to be expressed on a diversity of leukocytes. In this report, the expression of the CXCR4 receptor in cells of megakaryocytic lineage and the role of SDF-1 in megakaryocytopoiesis were investigated. Using flow cytometry in combination with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we observed that bone marrow CD34+, CD61+ cells, blood platelets, and megakaryocytic leukemia cell lines all expressed the CXCR4 receptor. To examine the expression of the CXCR4 receptor on megakaryocyte progenitors (colony-forming units-megakaryocyte [CFU-Meg]), CXCR4-positive and -negative CD34+ populations were separated from bone marrow and cultured in a plasma clot culture system. A subpopulation of the CFU-Meg was found in the CXCR4-positive fraction. The functional significance of CXCR4 expression on cells of the megakaryocytic lineage was examined by studying the effects of SDF-1α on migration and proliferation of megakaryocyte progenitor cells in vitro. We found that SDF-1α potently induced megakaryocyte progenitor migration and significantly enhanced adhesion of mature marrow megakaryocytes to endothelium. No marked effects of SDF-1α alone or in combination with thrombopoietin and stem cell factor/kit ligand on megakaryocyte production in vitro were noted. These results demonstrate for the first time that the CXCR4 α-chemokine receptor is expressed on cells of the megakaryocytic lineage from progenitors to platelets and that its ligand SDF-1α may modulate several aspects of megakaryocytopoiesis.

© 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.

The α-Chemokine Receptor CXCR4 Is Expressed on the Megakaryocytic Lineage From Progenitor to Platelets and Modulates Migration and Adhesion

CXCR4 is the receptor for the α-chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and has been shown to be expressed on a diversity of leukocytes. In this report, the expression of the CXCR4 receptor in cells of megakaryocytic lineage and the role of SDF-1 in megakaryocytopoiesis were investigated. Using flow cytometry in combination with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we observed that bone marrow CD34+, CD61+ cells, blood platelets, and megakaryocytic leukemia cell lines all expressed the CXCR4 receptor. To examine the expression of the CXCR4 receptor on megakaryocyte progenitors (colony-forming units-megakaryocyte [CFU-Meg]), CXCR4-positive and -negative CD34+ populations were separated from bone marrow and cultured in a plasma clot culture system. A subpopulation of the CFU-Meg was found in the CXCR4-positive fraction. The functional significance of CXCR4 expression on cells of the megakaryocytic lineage was examined by studying the effects of SDF-1α on migration and proliferation of megakaryocyte progenitor cells in vitro. We found that SDF-1α potently induced megakaryocyte progenitor migration and significantly enhanced adhesion of mature marrow megakaryocytes to endothelium. No marked effects of SDF-1α alone or in combination with thrombopoietin and stem cell factor/kit ligand on megakaryocyte production in vitro were noted. These results demonstrate for the first time that the CXCR4 α-chemokine receptor is expressed on cells of the megakaryocytic lineage from progenitors to platelets and that its ligand SDF-1α may modulate several aspects of megakaryocytopoiesis.

© 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.

Quantitative comparison of C-X-C chemokines produced by endotoxin-stimulated human alveolar macrophages

The C-X-C chemokines are a structurally related and functionally redundant family of proteins with neutrophil chemotactic activity. Many of the C-X-C chemokines are produced by endotoxin-stimulated alveolar macrophages (AMs), but knowledge of their relative quantities and their relative contributions to the total chemotactic activity released from these cells is incomplete. Human AMs were stimulated with or without Escherichia coli endotoxin for 2, 4, 8, and 24 h. The mRNA sequences of interleukin (IL)-8, the 78-amino acid epithelial cell-derived neutrophil activator (ENA-78), growth-related protein (GRO) alpha, GRObeta, and GROgamma were cloned by PCR and identified by sequence analysis. The relative mRNA quantities were compared by Northern analysis, and IL-8 was found to predominate. Similarly, IL-8 protein concentrations in the cell supernatants were consistently higher than either the ENA-78 or GRO concentration, and by 24 h, IL-8 concentrations were 10-fold higher than those of the other C-X-C chemokines. Blocking polyclonal antibodies to IL-8 substantially reduced the chemotactic activity in the AM supernatants, whereas antibodies to ENA-78 and GRO had little or no effect. We conclude that IL-8 is the predominant C-X-C chemokine and the dominant neutrophil chemoattractant accumulating in 24-h supernatants of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human AMs. These studies provide insight into potentially effective strategies of interrupting AM-derived inflammatory signals in the lungs.

Identification of CCR8 as the Specific Receptor for the Human β-Chemokine I-309: Cloning and Molecular Characterization of Murine CCR8 as the Receptor for TCA-3

Chemokine receptor-like 1 (CKR-L1) was described recently as a putative seven-transmembrane human receptor with many of the structural features of chemokine receptors. To identify the ligand of CKR-L1, we have studied chemokine-induced calcium mobilization in 293 cells transfected with CKR-L1. Of 20 different chemokines tested, only I-309 was able to elicit a significant calcium mobilization. In addition, I-309 induced the transfectants to migrate in vitro. As expected for chemokine receptor-mediated effects, pertussis toxin, but not cholera toxin, inhibited both the calcium flux and migration of the CKR-L1 transfectants in response to I-309. All of these data support the conclusion that I-309 is a functional ligand for CKR-L1. According to the current chemokine receptor nomenclature, we have designated this gene as CCR8. The murine CCR8 (mCCR8) gene was cloned, and its predicted amino acid sequence showed a 71% identity with that of human CCR8. As human CCR8, mCCR8 is expressed in thymus. Both I-309 and its murine homologue TCA-3 were able to induce calcium mobilization in transiently transfected 293-EBNA cells expressing mCCR8. The affinity of the binding of 125I-labeled TCA-3 to mCCR8 was high (Kd ≈ 2 nM); the binding was prevented completely by an excess of cold TCA-3, and only partially competed (40%) by I-309. The identification of I-309 and TCA-3 as the functional ligands for CCR8 receptors will help to unravel the role of these proteins in physiologic and pathologic situations.

The CXC-Chemokine Neutrophil-Activating Peptide-2 Induces Two Distinct Optima of Neutrophil Chemotaxis by Differential Interaction With Interleukin-8 Receptors CXCR-1 and CXCR-2

The CXC-chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8), neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (NAP-2), and melanoma growth-stimulatory activity (MGSA) are chemoattractants with high selectivity for neutrophils. Although IL-8 has been shown to act as an extremely potent mediator, reports on NAP-2 and MGSA are still contradictory. Here we show for the first time that NAP-2 and MGSA induce two distinct optima of neutrophil chemotaxis. A first optimum is elicited within a concentration range as low as it is characteristic for IL-8. However, a second optimum appears at more than 200-fold higher stimulus concentrations, at which IL-8 is inactive. Investigating the involvement of the two chemokine receptors CXCR-1 and CXCR-2 in NAP-2–mediated chemotaxis, we observe that the cells become desensitized to the first optimum of the chemokine after selective downregulation of CXCR-2, while both optima disappear upon simultaneous downregulation of both receptors. Blocking monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) specific for CXCR-2 or CXCR-1 either suppress the first optimum of NAP-2–induced chemotaxis or drastically reduce the second one, respectively. These results provide evidence that both receptors are involved in NAP-2–induced neutrophil chemotaxis, with CXCR-2 rendering the cells responsive to low dosages of the chemokine, and with CXCR-1 extending their responsiveness to NAP-2 dosages higher by several orders of magnitude.

The CXC-Chemokine Neutrophil-Activating Peptide-2 Induces Two Distinct Optima of Neutrophil Chemotaxis by Differential Interaction With Interleukin-8 Receptors CXCR-1 and CXCR-2

The CXC-chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8), neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (NAP-2), and melanoma growth-stimulatory activity (MGSA) are chemoattractants with high selectivity for neutrophils. Although IL-8 has been shown to act as an extremely potent mediator, reports on NAP-2 and MGSA are still contradictory. Here we show for the first time that NAP-2 and MGSA induce two distinct optima of neutrophil chemotaxis. A first optimum is elicited within a concentration range as low as it is characteristic for IL-8. However, a second optimum appears at more than 200-fold higher stimulus concentrations, at which IL-8 is inactive. Investigating the involvement of the two chemokine receptors CXCR-1 and CXCR-2 in NAP-2–mediated chemotaxis, we observe that the cells become desensitized to the first optimum of the chemokine after selective downregulation of CXCR-2, while both optima disappear upon simultaneous downregulation of both receptors. Blocking monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) specific for CXCR-2 or CXCR-1 either suppress the first optimum of NAP-2–induced chemotaxis or drastically reduce the second one, respectively. These results provide evidence that both receptors are involved in NAP-2–induced neutrophil chemotaxis, with CXCR-2 rendering the cells responsive to low dosages of the chemokine, and with CXCR-1 extending their responsiveness to NAP-2 dosages higher by several orders of magnitude.