Coreceptor/Chemokine Receptor Expression on Human Hematopoietic Cells: Biological Implications for Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Type 1 Infection

CCR5 antagonist reduces HIV-induced amyloidogenesis, tau pathology, neurodegeneration, and blood-brain barrier alterations in HIV-infected hu-PBL-NSG mice

BACKGROUND

Neurocognitive impairment is present in 50% of HIV-infected individuals and is often associated with Alzheimer's Disease (AD)-like brain pathologies, including increased amyloid-beta (Aβ) and Tau hyperphosphorylation. Here, we aimed to determine whether HIV-1 infection causes AD-like pathologies in an HIV/AIDS humanized mouse model, and whether the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc alters HIV-induced pathologies.

METHODS

NOD/scid-IL-2Rγcnull mice engrafted with human blood leukocytes were infected with HIV-1, left untreated or treated with maraviroc (120 mg/kg twice/day). Human cells in animal's blood were quantified weekly by flow cytometry. Animals were sacrificed at week-3 post-infection; blood and tissues viral loads were quantified using p24 antigen ELISA, RNAscope, and qPCR. Human (HLA-DR+) cells, Aβ-42, phospho-Tau, neuronal markers (MAP 2, NeuN, neurofilament-L), gamma-secretase activating protein (GSAP), and blood-brain barrier (BBB) tight junction (TJ) proteins expression and transcription were quantified in brain tissues by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, and qPCR. Plasma Aβ-42, Aβ-42 cellular uptake, release and transendothelial transport were quantified by ELISA.

RESULTS

HIV-1 significantly decreased human (h)CD4+ T-cells and hCD4/hCD8 ratios; decreased the expression of BBB TJ proteins claudin-5, ZO-1, ZO-2; and increased HLA-DR+ cells in brain tissues. Significantly, HIV-infected animals showed increased plasma and brain Aβ-42 and phospho-Tau (threonine181, threonine231, serine396, serine199), associated with transcriptional upregulation of GSAP, an enzyme that catalyzes Aβ formation, and loss of MAP 2, NeuN, and neurofilament-L. Maraviroc treatment significantly reduced blood and brain viral loads, prevented HIV-induced loss of neuronal markers and TJ proteins; decreased HLA-DR+ cells infiltration in brain tissues, significantly reduced HIV-induced increase in Aβ-42, GSAP, and phospho-Tau. Maraviroc also reduced Aβ retention and increased Aβ release in human macrophages; decreased the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and increased low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1) expression in human brain endothelial cells. Maraviroc induced Aβ transendothelial transport, which was blocked by LRP1 antagonist but not RAGE antagonist.

CONCLUSIONS

Maraviroc significantly reduced HIV-induced amyloidogenesis, GSAP, phospho-Tau, neurodegeneration, BBB alterations, and leukocytes infiltration into the CNS. Maraviroc increased cellular Aβ efflux and transendothelial Aβ transport via LRP1 pathways. Thus, therapeutically targeting CCR5 could reduce viremia, preserve the BBB and neurons, increased brain Aβ efflux, and reduce AD-like neuropathologies.

Human platelets and their capacity of binding viruses: meaning and challenges?

Blood platelets are first aimed at ensuring primary hemostasis. Beyond this role, they have been acknowledged as having functions in the maintenance of the vascular arborescence and, more recently, as being also innate immune cells, devoted notably to the detection of danger signals, of which infectious ones. Platelets express pathogen recognition receptors that can sense bacterial and viral moieties. Besides, several molecules that bind epithelial or sub-endothelial molecules and, so forth, are involved in hemostasis, happen to be able to ligate viral determinants, making platelets capable of either binding viruses or even to be infected by some of them. Further, as platelets express both Fc-receptors for Ig and complement receptors, they also bind occasionally virus-Ig or virus-Ig-complement immune complexes. Interplays of viruses with platelets are very complex and viral infections often interfere with platelet number and functions. Through a few instances of viral infections, the present review aims at presenting some of the most important interactions from pathophysiological and clinical points of view, which are observed between human viruses and platelets.

HIV-2 interaction with cell coreceptors: amino acids within the V1/V2 region of viral envelope are determinant for CCR8, CCR5 and CXCR4 usage

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2) use cellular receptors in distinct ways. Besides a more promiscuous usage of coreceptors by HIV-2 and a more frequent detection of CD4-independent HIV-2 isolates, we have previously identified two HIV-2 isolates (HIV-2MIC97 and HIV-2MJC97) that do not use the two major HIV coreceptors: CCR5 and CXCR4. All these features suggest that in HIV-2 the Env glycoprotein subunits may have a different structural organization enabling distinct - although probably less efficient - interactions with cellular receptors.

RESULTS

By infectivity assays using GHOST cell line expressing CD4 and CCR8 and blocking experiments using CCR8-specific ligand, I-309, we show that efficient replication of HIV-2MIC97 and HIV-2MJC97 requires the presence of CCR8 at plasma cell membrane. Additionally, we disclosed the determinants of chemokine receptor usage at the molecular level, and deciphered the amino acids involved in the usage of CCR8 (R8 phenotype) and in the switch from CCR8 to CCR5 or to CCR5/CXCR4 usage (R5 or R5X4 phenotype). The data obtained from site-directed mutagenesis clearly indicates that the main genetic determinants of coreceptor tropism are located within the V1/V2 region of Env surface glycoprotein of these two viruses.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that a viral population able to use CCR8 and unable to infect CCR5 or CXCR4-positive cells, may exist in some HIV-2 infected individuals during an undefined time period, in the course of the asymptomatic stage of infection. This suggests that in vivo alternate molecules might contribute to HIV infection of natural target cells, at least under certain circumstances. Furthermore we provide direct and unequivocal evidence that the usage of CCR8 and the switch from R8 to R5 or R5X4 phenotype is determined by amino acids located in the base and tip of V1 and V2 loops of HIV-2 Env surface glycoprotein.

9-Aminoacridine inhibition of HIV-1 Tat dependent transcription

As part of a continued search for more efficient anti-HIV-1 drugs, we are focusing on the possibility that small molecules could efficiently inhibit HIV-1 replication through the restoration of p53 and p21WAF1 functions, which are inactivated by HIV-1 infection. Here we describe the molecular mechanism of 9-aminoacridine (9AA) mediated HIV-1 inhibition. 9AA treatment resulted in inhibition of HIV LTR transcription in a specific manner that was highly dependent on the presence and location of the amino moiety. Importantly, virus replication was found to be inhibited in HIV-1 infected cell lines by 9AA in a dose-dependent manner without inhibiting cellular proliferation or inducing cell death. 9AA inhibited viral replication in both p53 wildtype and p53 mutant cells, indicating that there is another p53 independent factor that was critical for HIV inhibition. p21WAF1 is an ideal candidate as p21WAF1 levels were increased in both p53 wildtype and p53 mutant cells, and p21WAF1 was found to be phosphorylated at S146, an event previously shown to increase its stability. Furthermore, we observed p21WAF1 in complex with cyclin T1 and cdk9 in vitro, suggesting a direct role of p21WAF1 in HIV transcription inhibition. Finally, 9AA treatment resulted in loss of cdk9 from the viral promoter, providing one possible mechanism of transcriptional inhibition. Thus, 9AA treatment was highly efficient at reactivating the p53 – p21WAF1 pathway and consequently inhibiting HIV replication and transcription.

Lentiviral vector gene transfer is limited by the proteasome at postentry steps in various types of stem cells

The isolation of human embryonic and somatic stem cells of different types has made it possible to design novel gene and cell replacement therapies. Vectors derived from retro/lentiviruses are used to stably introduce genes into stem cells and their progeny. However, the permissivity to retroviral infection varies among cell types. We previously showed that hematopoietic stem cells are poorly permissive to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-derived vectors and that pharmacological inhibition of the proteasome strongly enhances gene transfer. Here we report that the proteasome limits lentiviral gene transfer in all stem cell types tested, including embryonic, mesenchymal, and neural, of both human and mouse origin. Remarkably, this inhibitory activity was sharply reduced upon differentiation of the stem cells, suggesting that it represents a novel feature of the stem cell/immature progenitor phenotype. Proteasome-mediated inhibition was specific for lentiviral vectors and occurred at a postentry infection step. It was not mediated by activation of nuclear factor-kappaB, a major signaling pathway modulated by the proteasome, and did not correlate with high proteasome activity. Interaction of the virion core with cyclophilin A was required to maximize the effect of proteasome inhibitor on the infection pathway. These findings are relevant to uncover new mediators of HIV gene transfer and help in designing more effective protocols for the genetic modification of stem cells. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.

Drug 9AA reactivates p21/Waf1 and Inhibits HIV-1 progeny formation

It has been demonstrated that the p53 pathway plays an important role in HIV-1 infection. Previous work from our lab has established a model demonstrating how p53 could become inactivated in HIV-1 infected cells through binding to Tat. Subsequently, p53 was inactivated and lost its ability to transactivate its downstream target gene p21/waf1. P21/waf1 is a well-known cdk inhibitor (CKI) that can lead to cell cycle arrest upon DNA damage. Most recently, the p21/waf1 function was further investigated as a molecular barrier for HIV-1 infection of stem cells. Therefore, we reason that the restoration of the p53 and p21/waf1 pathways could be a possible theraputical arsenal for combating HIV-1 infection. In this current study, we show that a small chemical molecule, 9-aminoacridine (9AA) at low concentrations, could efficiently reactivate p53 pathway and thereby restoring the p21/waf1 function. Further, we show that the 9AA could significantly inhibit virus replication in activated PBMCs, likely through a mechanism of inhibiting the viral replication machinery. A mechanism study reveals that the phosphorylated p53ser15 may be dissociated from binding to HIV-1 Tat protein, thereby activating the p21/waf1 gene. Finally, we also show that the 9AA-activated p21/waf1 is recruited to HIV-1 preintegration complex, through a mechanism yet to be elucidated.

Fucoidan ingestion increases the expression of CXCR4 on human CD34+ cells

OBJECTIVE

Transplantation of hematopoietic progenitor stem cells (HPC) is an important treatment modality for a variety of neoplastic diseases. HPC collection for transplantation with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor may be unsuccessful in patients who have received prior chemotherapy or for other reasons. Methods to improve mobilization of HPCs are required. Disruption of the interaction between the cell surface receptor CXCR4 and its ligand stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is a mechanism for HPC release from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood (PB).

METHODS

We carried out a clinical trial to evaluate the effects of ingestion of a fucoidan, galactofucan sulfate (a putative HPC mobilizing agent) on circulating CD34(+) cells, CXCR4 expression, and levels of SDF-1, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin 12.

RESULTS

Following ingestion of fucoidan, CD34(+) cells increased significantly in the PB from 1.64 to 1.84 cells/microL after 4 days. The proportion of CD34(+) cells that expressed CXCR4 increased from 45 to 90% after 12 days, the plasma level of SDF-1 increased from 1978 to 2010 pg/mL, and IFN-gamma level increased from 9.04 to 9.89 pg/mL.

CONCLUSION

Oral fucoidan significantly amplified the CXCR4(+) HPC population. The ability to mobilize HPC using sulfated polysaccharides and mobilize more HPC with high levels of CXCR4 could be clinically valuable.

Homing and mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic cancer cells are mirror image processes, utilizing similar signaling pathways and occurring concurrently: circulating cancer cells constitute an ideal target for concurrent treatment with chemotherapy and antilineage-specific antibodies

Adhesion molecules and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXCR4 signaling play key role in homing and mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor (HPC) and hematopoietic cancer clonogenic cells (HCC). High expression of VLA-4 is required for homing of HPC and HCC, whereas downregulation of these molecules is required for successful mobilization of HPC and HCC. Upregulation and activation of the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling is required for homing of HPC and HCC, whereas disruption of the SDF-1 signaling is required for mobilization of HPC and HCC. Hence, mobilizations of HPC and HCC occur concurrently. It is proposed that drug resistance evolves as a result of repeated cycles of chemotherapy. Following each cycle of chemotherapy, HCC lose adhesion molecules and SDF-1 signaling. Surviving cells, released from tumor sites, circulate until re-expression of adhesion molecules and CXCR4 occurs, then homing to stroma of distal tissues occurs. Cytokines secreted by cells in the new microenvironment induce proliferation and drug resistance of HCC. This process is amplified in each cycle of chemotherapy resulting in disease progression. A novel model for treatment is proposed in which circulating HCC are the target for clinical intervention, and concurrent treatment with chemotherapy and antilineage-specific antibodies will result in abrogation of the 'vicious cycle' of conventional anticancer therapy.

Selective up-regulation of functional CXCR4 expression in erythroid cells by HIV-1 Tat protein

CXCR4 is the high affinity receptor for the SDF-1 alpha chemokine and represents the main coreceptor for HIV-1 T-tropic strains. The surface expression of CXCR4 was analysed in CD34+ haematopoietic progenitors, induced to differentiate along the erythroid or granulocytic lineages, in liquid cultures supplemented or not with HIV-1 Tat protein. At concentrations as low as 1-10 ng/ml, synthetic Tat protein significantly increased the surface expression of CXCR4 in erythroid but not in granulocytic cells. The Tat-mediated up-regulation of surface CXCR4 was accompanied by a concomitant increase of CXCR4 mRNA and total CXCR4 protein content in cells developing along the erythroid lineage after 6-10 days of culture. Moreover, addition of SDF-1 alpha (200 ng/ml) induced a significant higher rate of apoptosis in Tat-treated erythroid cells in comparison with control cells. These results demonstrated for the first time a direct positive role in haematopoietic gene regulation of Tat protein, and suggest the possible involvement of Tat in HIV-1-induced anaemia.

Increased p21(CIP1/WAF1) and B cell lymphoma leukemia-x(L) expression and reduced apoptosis in alveolar macrophages from smokers

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are the predominant defense cells in the airway, and their numbers are increased in smokers and subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This increase may result from increased recruitment, increased proliferation, or reduced cell death. Apoptosis regulates inflammatory cell survival, and p21(CIP1/WAF1) is an important inhibitory regulator of cycle progression after oxidative stress. We have investigated whether chronic smoke exposure influences the expression and localization of cell cycle and apoptotic proteins in AM and bronchial epithelial cells in vivo. The increased numbers of AMs seen in smokers were only partially due to enhanced proliferation. p21(CIP1/WAF1) protein expression was increased in AMs and biopsies isolated from smokers and was found predominantly within the cytoplasm. In addition, B cell lymphoma leukemia (Bcl)-x(L), an antiapoptotic regulator, was also highly expressed in macrophages from smokers compared with nonsmokers and subjects with asthma. Hydrogen peroxide, an oxidative stress, induced cytoplasmic expression of p21(CIP1/WAF1) and failed to induce apoptosis in an in vitro model. These results suggested that AM and bronchial epithelial cells from smokers, in contrast to those from normal subjects and subjects with asthma, have reduced cell death. Thus, oxidative stress induced by cigarette smoking may contribute to the chronicity of inflammation in the airway, through a reduction of apoptosis.

Thrombopoietin, but not cytokines binding to gp130 protein-coupled receptors, activates MAPKp42/44, AKT, and STAT proteins in normal human CD34+ cells, megakaryocytes, and platelets

OBJECTIVE

The development of megakaryocytes is regulated by thrombopoietin (TPO), which binds to the c-mpl receptor, and by several other cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-11, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), cilliary neurotropic factor (CNTF), and oncostatin (OSM), which bind to gp130 protein-coupled receptors. We attempted to identify signal transduction pathways activated by these factors in normal human megakaryocytes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To better understand the role of these factors in normal human megakaryopoiesis we studied their effect on 1) purified human bone marrow-derived CD34+ cells, 2) human alpha(IIb)beta3+ cells (shown by immunophenotypical and morphological criteria to be megakaryoblasts), which had been expanded ex vivo from CD34+ cells in chemically defined artificial serum, and 3) gel-filtered human peripheral blood platelets. Further, in an attempt to correlate the influence of these factors on cell proliferation and survival with activation of signal transduction pathways, we evaluated their effect on the phosphorylation of MAPK p42/44 and activation of PI-3K-AKT and JAK-STAT proteins in these various cell types.

RESULTS

Using serum-free liquid cultures, we found that only TPO and IL-6 protected CD34+ cells and megakaryocytes from undergoing apoptosis (decrease in annexin-V binding, PARP cleavage, and activation of caspase-3). Moreover, only TPO when used alone and IL-6 only when used in combination with TPO, stimulated the growth of human colony-forming unit-megakaryocytes (CFU-Meg) in semisolid serum-free medium. We also observed that while TPO efficiently activated various signaling pathways in CD34+ cells, megakaryocytes, and platelets (MAPK p42/44, PI-3K-AKT, STAT proteins), IL-6 stimulated phosphorylation of STAT-1, -3, and -5 proteins only in CD34+ cells and megakaryoblasts. To our surprise, none of the other gp130 protein-related cytokines tested (IL-11, LIF, CNTF, and OSM) activated these signaling pathways in CD34+ cells, megakaryoblasts, or platelets.

CONCLUSIONS

Our signal transduction studies explain why TPO, by simultaneously activating several signaling pathways, is the most potent megakaryopoietic regulator and why of all five gp130 protein-related cytokines tested, only IL-6, through activation of STAT proteins, plays a role in normal human megakaryopoiesis.

The SDF-1-CXCR4 axis stimulates VEGF secretion and activates integrins but does not affect proliferation and survival in lymphohematopoietic cells

To better define the role HIV-related chemokine receptor-chemokine axes play in human hematopoiesis, we investigated the function of the CXCR4 and CCR5 receptors in human myeloid, T- and B-lymphoid cell lines selected for the expression of these receptors (CXCR4(+), CXCR4(+) CCR5(+), and CCR5(+) cell lines). We evaluated the phosphorylation of MAPK p42/44, AKT, and STAT proteins and examined the ability of the ligands for these receptors (stromal-derived factor-1 [SDF-1] and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta [MIP-1beta]) to influence cell growth, apoptosis, adhesion, and production of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in these cell lines. We found that A) SDF-1, after binding to CXCR4, activates multiple signaling pathways and that in comparison with the MIP-1beta-CCR5 axis, plays a privileged role in hematopoiesis; B) SDF-1 activation of the MAPK p42/44 pathway and the PI-3K-AKT axis does not affect proliferation and apoptosis but modulates integrin-mediated adhesion to fibronectin, and C) SDF-1 induces secretion of VEGF, but not of MMPs or TIMPs. Thus the role of SDF-1 relates primarily to the interaction of lymphohematopoietic cells with their microenvironment and does not directly influence their proliferation or survival. We conclude that perturbation of the SDF-1-CXCR4 axis during HIV infection may affect interactions of hematopoietic cells with the hematopoietic microenvironment.

Expression of adhesion molecules on CD34(+) cells in peripheral blood of non-hodgkin's lymphoma patients mobilized with different growth factors

Adhesion molecules on CD34(+) cells were implicated in the process of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization and homing. We studied the mobilization of CD34(+)Thy1(+) cells, CD34(+) very late-acting antigen (VLA)4(+) cells, and CD34(+)L-selectin(+) cells in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients mobilized with cyclophosphamide plus G-CSF, GM-CSF, or GM-CSF followed by G-CSF. The mean percentage of CD34(+) cells in the bone marrow (BM) expressing Thy1 was 23.6% +/- 11% and 17.8% +/- 8% in the PB before mobilization, and was markedly decreased to 4.5% +/- 3.3% in the apheresis collections. Similarly, the mean percentage of CD34(+) cells expressing L-selectin was 35.8% +/- 4.3% in the BM, 21.6% +/- 4.1% in the PB before mobilization and was markedly decreased to 9.1% +/- 2.5% in the apheresis collections. Patients in the three arms of the study had a similar pattern of CD34(+)Thy1(+) and CD34(+)L-selectin(+) cell mobilization. Also, a similar pattern of coexpression of CD34(+)Thy1(+) and CD34(+)L-selectin(+) cells was observed when the patients were regrouped as "good mobilizers" (> or =2 x 10(6) CD34(+)CD45(dim) cells/kg, in four collections) and "poor mobilizers" (<0.4 x 10(6) CD34(+)CD45(dim) cells/kg, in two collections). The mean percentage of CD34(+) cells expressing VLA-4 in the BM and PB was relatively high (73.4% +/- 12% and 65.4% +/- 6.6%, respectively) and dropped considerably in the PBSC collections to 43.5% +/- 7.1% with a similar pattern observed for patients in arms A, B, and C. However, when the patients were regrouped as "good mobilizers" and "poor mobilizers," a higher percentage of CD34(+) cells expressing VLA-4 was observed in the PBSC of the pooled "good mobilizers" (50.5% +/- 9% versus 36.3% +/- 6.4%; p = 0.01). We conclude that release of CD34(+) cells to the PB involves a general downregulation of Thy1, L-selectin and VLA-4 on CD34(+) cells, irrespective of the growth factor used for mobilization. However, good mobilizers had a relatively higher percentage of CD34(+) cells expressing the VLA-4 antigen.

Induction of Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 Replication by Human Herpesvirus 8

Background.—Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)–infected individuals are commonly infected with herpesviruses, including cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8, also known as Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus [KSHV]). Previous studies have demonstrated that coinfection with herpesviruses can modulate HIV-1 replication. This can occur either through direct interaction between the 2 viruses or through secondary effects resulting from the release of cellular factors in response to infection.

Objective.—To investigate HIV-1 replication in the presence and absence of HHV-8.

Design and Methods.—HIV-1 replication was analyzed following culture of HIV-1–infected CD4+ T cells in the presence of HHV-8 infected B-cell lines or control, uninfected B-cell lines. To confirm and extend the results of these in vitro studies, HIV-1–infected T cells were injected into human skin transplanted onto severe combined immunodeficient mice. The human skin was also injected with purified HHV-8 or phosphate-buffered saline as a control and HIV replication measured in biopsy specimens taken 5 to 8 days later.

Results and Conclusions.—The results demonstrated a significant increase in HIV-1 replication in the presence of HHV-8 in both the in vitro and in vivo model systems. Although the mechanism responsible for HHV-8 induction of HIV-1 replication remains to be identified, the results indicate that these 2 viruses may interact at the molecular level in coinfected patients, resulting in increased HIV-1 viral load.

Plasma levels of SDF-1 and expression of SDF-1 receptor on CD34+ cells in mobilized peripheral blood of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients

CXCR4 is the receptor for the chemokine stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1), is expressed on CD34+ cells, and has been implicated in the process of CD34+ cell migration and homing. We studied the mobilization of CD34/CXCR4 cells and the plasma levels of SDF-1 and flt3-ligand (flt3-L) in 36 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients receiving cyclophosphamide (Cy) plus G-CSF (arm A), Cy plus GM-CSF (arm B), or Cy plus GM-CSF followed by G-CSF (arm C) for peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization and autotransplantation. We observed lower plasma levels of SDF-1 in PBSCs compared to premobilization bone marrow samples. The mean plasma SDF-1 levels were similar in PBSC collections in the three arms of the study. In contrast, SDF-1 levels in the apheresis collections of the "good mobilizers" (patients who collected a minimum of 2 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg in one to four PBSC collections) were significantly lower than the apheresis collections of the "poor mobilizers" (> or = 0.4 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg in the first two PBSC collections; 288 +/- 82 pg/ml versus 583 +/- 217 pg/ml; p = 0.0009). The mean percentage of CD34+ cells expressing CXCR4 in the apheresis collections was decreased in the PBSC collections compared with premobilization values from 28% to 19.4%. Furthermore, the percentage of CD34+ cells expressing CXCR4 in the good mobilizers was significantly lower compared with the poor mobilizers (14.7 +/- 2.1% versus 33.6 +/- 2.1%; p = 0.002). The good mobilizers had also significantly lower levels of flt3-L compared with the poor mobilizers (34 +/- 4 pg/ml versus 106 +/- 11 pg/ml; p = 0.006), Finally, the levels of flt3-L strongly correlated with SDF-1 levels (r = 0.8; p < 0.0001). We conclude: A) low plasma levels of SDF-1 and low expression of CXCR4 characterize patients with good mobilization outcome, and B) the levels of SDF-1 correlate with flt3-L, suggesting an association of these cytokines in mobilization of CD34+ cells.

Stromal-derived factor 1 and thrombopoietin regulate distinct aspects of human megakaryopoiesis

The role of the chemokine binding stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) in normal human megakaryopoiesis at the cellular and molecular levels and its comparison with that of thrombopoietin (TPO) have not been determined. In this study it was found that SDF-1, unlike TPO, does not stimulate αIIbβ3+ cell proliferation or differentiation or have an antiapoptotic effect. However, it does induce chemotaxis, trans-Matrigel migration, and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by these cells, and both SDF-1 and TPO increase the adhesion of αIIbβ3+ cells to fibrinogen and vitronectin. Investigating the intracellular signaling pathways induced by SDF-1 and TPO revealed some overlapping patterns of protein phosphorylation/activation (mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK] p42/44, MAPK p38, and AKT [protein kinase B]) and some that were distinct for TPO (eg, JAK-STAT) and for SDF-1 (eg, NF-κB). It was also found that though inhibition of phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) by LY294002 in αIIbβ3+ cells induced apoptosis and inhibited chemotaxis adhesion and the secretion of MMP-9 and VEGF, the inhibition of MAPK p42/44 (by the MEK inhibitor U0126) had no effect on the survival, proliferation, and migration of these cells. Hence, it is suggested that the proliferative effect of TPO is more related to activation of the JAK-STAT pathway (unique to TPO), and the PI-3K–AKT axis is differentially involved in TPO- and SDF-1–dependent signaling. Accordingly, PI-3K is involved in TPO-mediated inhibition of apoptosis, TPO- and SDF-1–regulated adhesion to fibrinogen and vitronectin, and SDF-1–mediated migration. This study expands the understanding of the role of SDF-1 and TPO in normal human megakaryopoiesis and indicates the molecular basis of the observed differences in cellular responses.

The limited infectability by R5 HIV of CD34(+) cells from thymus, cord, and peripheral blood and bone marrow is explained by their ability to produce beta-chemokines

The resistance of human bone marrow (BM) CD34(+) cells to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is at this point not fully understood. Recently we reported that the chemokines MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES secreted by BM-derived CD34(+) cells may compete with the macrophagotropic HIV (R5 HIV) strain for the CCR5 coreceptor.In this study we extended our previous observations and examined various lympho-hematopoietic CD34(+) cells isolated from thymus (Th), cord blood (CB), mobilized peripheral blood (mPB), and BM for the expression of beta-chemokines binding to CCR5, i.e., MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, RANTES, MCP-2, MCP-3, and MCP-4, and the alpha chemokine SDF-1 (binding to CXCR4) as these chemokines may compete with the R5 and X4 HIV strains, respectively, for entry into cells. We found that Th-, CB-, mPB-, and BM-derived CD34(+) cells express mRNA transcripts for all the beta-chemokines tested but not for SDF-1. Using sensitive ELISA assays we found that although MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta proteins were secreted by all the lympho-hematopoietic CD34(+) cells tested, RANTES was detectable only in media conditioned by BM- and CB-derived CD34(+) cells and not Th-derived cells. However, media conditioned by BM-, mPB- and Th-derived CD34(+) cells protected the T lymphocytic cell line (PB-1) from infection by the R5 but not the X4 HIV strain. Hence this study demonstrates that beta-chemokines are secreted by lympho-hematopoietic CD34(+) cells originating from various sources and that these endogenously secreted chemokines may limit entry of the R5 HIV strain into the cells by competing for the CCR5 coreceptor.

Biological significance of the expression of HIV-related chemokine coreceptors (CCR5 and CXCR4) and their ligands by human hematopoietic cell lines

The aim of this study was to learn more about the role of the HIV-related chemokine-chemokine receptor axes in human hematopoiesis. To address this issue we phenotyped 35 selected hematopoietic cell lines for the expression of CD4, CXCR4 and CCR5. We next evaluated the functionality of these chemokine receptors by calcium flux and chemotaxis assays, and by the ability of SDF-1, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta and RANTES to influence the growth of the cells expressing CXCR4 and/or CCR5. Lastly, we examined whether human hematopoietic cell lines may secrete some HIV-related chemokines, and whether endogenously secreted chemokines might interfere with the infectability. of hematopoietic cells by X4 and R5 HIV strains. These results demonstrate that: (1) HIV-related receptors are widely expressed on human hematopoietic cell lines; (2) stimulation of CXCR4 by SDF-1 induces calcium flux and chemotaxis in several hematopoietic cell lines more efficiently than stimulation of CCR5 by receptor-specific beta-chemokines; (3) chemokines do not regulate proliferation of the hematopoietic cells; and finally (4) infectability of the hematopoietic cells by HIV-1 may be auto-modulated by endogenously secreted chemokines. These data shed more light on the role of HIV-related chemokine-chemokine receptors axes in human hematopoiesis and interaction of hematopoietic cells with HIV.

Multiple nonfunctional alleles of CCR5 are frequent in various human populations

CCR5 is the major coreceptor for macrophage-tropic strains of the human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1). Homozygotes for a 32-base pair (bp) deletion in the coding sequence of the receptor (CCR5Δ32) were found to be highly resistant to viral infection, and CCR5 became, therefore, one of the paradigms illustrating the influence of genetic variability onto individual susceptibility to infectious and other diseases. We investigated the functional consequences of 16 other natural CCR5 mutations described in various human populations. We found that 10 of these variants are efficiently expressed at the cell surface, bind [125I]-MIP-1β with affinities similar to wtCCR5, respond functionally to chemokines, and act as HIV-1 coreceptors. In addition to Δ32, six mutations were characterized by major alterations in their functional response to chemokines, as a consequence of intracellular trapping and poor expression at the cell surface (C101X, FS299), general or specific alteration of ligand binding affinities (C20S, C178R, A29S), or relative inability to mediate receptor activation (L55Q). A29S displayed an unusual pharmacological profile, binding and responding to MCP-2 similarly to wtCCR5, but exhibiting severely impaired binding and functional responses to MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and RANTES. In addition to Δ32, only C101X was totally unable to mediate entry of HIV-1. The fact that nonfunctional CCR5 alleles are relatively frequent in various human populations reinforces the hypothesis of a selective pressure favoring these alleles.

The role of HIV-related chemokine receptors and chemokines in human erythropoiesis in vitro

In order to better define the role of HIV-related chemokines in human erythropoiesis we studied: A) the expression of chemokine receptors, both on human CD34(+) cells which include erythroid progenitors and on more mature erythroid cells; B) the functionality of these receptors by calcium flux, chemotaxis assay and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) p42/44 (ERK1/ERK2) and AKT, and finally C) the influence of chemokines on BFU-E formation. We found that HIV-related chemokine receptor CXCR4, but not CCR5, is detectable on human CD34(+) BFU-E cells. CXCR4 surface expression decreased during erythroid maturation, although CXCR4 mRNA was still present in cells isolated from differentiated erythroid colonies. SDF-1, a CXCR4 ligand, induced calcium flux and phosphorylation of MAPK (p42/44) and AKT in CD34(+)KIT(+) bone marrow mononuclear cells which contain BFU-E, as well as chemotactic activity of both human CD34(+) BFU-E progenitors and erythroid cells isolated from day 2-6 BFU-E colonies. Responsiveness to SDF-1 decreased when the cells differentiated to the point of surface expression of the erythroid-specific marker Glycophorin-A. In contrast, the CCR5 ligands (macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha [MIP-1alpha], MIP-1beta, and RANTES) did not activate calcium flux, MAPK and AKT phosphorylation or chemotaxis of CD34(+)KIT(+) cells or cells isolated from the BFU-E colonies. Interestingly, none of the chemokines tested in this study had any effect on BFU-E colony formation. In conclusion, only CXCR4 is functional, and its specific ligand SDF-1 may therefore play an important role in the homing and/or retention of early erythroid precursors in the bone marrow environment.