OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of a novel human chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) on stem cell/progenitor cells.

METHODSHuman bone marrow mononuclear cells were separated by Ficoll (1.077 g/ml), and cultured in suspension and semisolid colony culture. The effects of CKLF1 on CFU-GM and CFU-Mix were observed.

RESULTSThe number of CFU-GM was significantly increased in 10 groups by addition of CKLF1 plasmid supernatant. The mean value was 234.81 +/- 98.71/1 x 10(5) cells, 2.42 fold of control group (P < 0.05). The mean value of CFU-Mix in groups of negative control, CKLF1, PHA, GM-CSF and G-CSF were 82.00 +/- 20.25, 105.76 +/- 36.70, 146.63 +/- 27.09, 143.33 +/- 60.23 per 1 x 10(5) cells, respectively, no statistical differences were seen between control and CKLF1 groups. The CD(34)(+) cells were detected by FACS. The average percentage in the groups of normal control, CKLF1, PHA and GM-CSF were (0.75 +/- 0.62)%, (1.32 +/- 0.87)%, (0.15 +/- 0.02)%, and (0.29 +/- 0.23)%, respectively. Compared with control, no significant differences were seen between each group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNovel chemokine-like factor 1 can increase the proliferation of CFU-GM, which indicated that CKLF1 could increase the proliferation of human bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells and colony formation.

Adult ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokines ; pharmacology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; MARVEL Domain-Containing Proteins

CCL23 is a human CC chemokine with potential suppression effects on both human and murine myeloid progenitor cells both in vitro and in vivo, and only expressed and released by dendritic cells differentiated from monocytes in blood cells. However, recent study has shown that CCL23 was over-expressed in bone marrow and peripheral blood cells from pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In order to investigate the effects of CCL23 on the development, therapy and prognosis of leukemia, the U937 cells, a leukemic cell strain, were adopted and cultured with rhCCL23 for 72 hours. The cell proliferation and apoptosis rate were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 and FITC-AnnexinV/PI respectively; the morphologic changes and the expression of CCR1 (the only receptor of CCL23 known by now) were observed during the differentiation process. The results showed that no obvious effect on the proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of U937 was found by using CCL23 alone (P > 0.05), but cultured in combination with CCL23 and PMA, the differentiation of U937 cells were promoted remarkably, during which the CCR1 expression increased (P < 0.05). It is concluded that CCL23 alone did not inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of U937, while its use in combination with PMA may possess synergistic effect on inducting differentiation of U937 through the increase of receptor CCR1 expression.
Apoptosis ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Chemokines, CC ; pharmacology ; Humans ; U937 Cells

In order to prevent the maternal immune defenses to the semi-allogeneic fetus, the maternal body will present a special adaptive immune system change represented by acute thymic involution(ATI) during pregnancy, which can be quickly regenerated after delivery. The ATI during pregnancy is related to the level of sex hormones, which is mainly caused by progesterone. Pregnancy-induced ATI is manifested as the continuous shrinkage of thymus volume, especially the cortex, and the wrinkle and phagocytosis of the subcapsular cortical thymic epithelial cells(cTECs), while other thymic epithelial cells(TECs) remain unchanged. The postpartum thymus is regenerated by the co-mediation of forkhead box N1(FOXN1) as well as its target genes chemokine(C-C motif) ligand 25(CCL25), chemokine(C-X-C motif) ligand 12(CXCL12), δ-like ligand 4(DLL4), cathepsin L(CTSL), and serine protease 16(PRSS16). Once the postpartum thymus is poorly repaired, immune dysfunction of the maternal body and several puerperal diseases will be induced, seriously endangering the survival of the mother and the newborn. In traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), Qi and blood are the cornerstone of pregnancy, and the thymus plays a key role in regulating Qi and blood. The deficiency of Qi and blood during pregnancy and childbirth is closely related to the abnormal ATI during pregnancy and the poor regeneration of the postpartum thymus. Based on this theory, TCM has profound academic ideas and rich clinical experience in postpartum recuperation. Based on the systematic description of the mechanism of ATI regeneration during pregnancy, as well as data mining and analysis of two classic gynecological works of TCM, Wan's Gynecology and Fu Qing-zhu's Treatise on Gynecology, this study found that the commonly used TCM for postpartum included Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Among them, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, and Chuanxiong Rhizoma are high-frequency TCMs with positive effects on postpartum recovery.However, the mechanism of these TCMs in promoting postpartum thymus regeneration needs further investigation.
Female ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Ligands ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Prescriptions ; Postpartum Period ; Chemokines

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of hypoxia on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced CXC-chemokine ligand-10 (CXCL10) expression and the underlying mechanism. C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control, hypoxia, LPS, and hypoxia combined with LPS groups. The LPS group was intraperitoneally injected with 0.5 mg/kg LPS, and the hypoxia group was placed in a hypobaric hypoxia chamber (simulated altitude of 6 000 m). The serum and hippocampal tissue samples were collected after 6 h of the treatment. The levels of CXCL10 in the serum and hippocampal tissue of mice were detected by ELISA. The microglia cell line BV2 and primary microglia were stimulated with hypoxia (1% O₂) and/or LPS (100 ng/mL) for 6 h. The mRNA expression level of CXCL10 and its content in culture supernatant were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and ELISA, respectively. The phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway-related proteins, p65 and IκBα, were detected by Western blot. Moreover, after NF-κB signaling pathway being blocked with a small molecular compound, PDTC, CXCL10 mRNA expression level was detected in the BV2 cells. The results showed that in the LPS-induced mouse inflammatory model, hypoxia treatment could promote LPS-induced up-regulation of CXCL10 in both serum and hippocampus. Compared with the cells treated with LPS alone, the expression of CXCL10 mRNA and the content of CXCL10 in the culture supernatant of BV2 cells treated with hypoxia combined with LPS were significantly increased. The CXCL10 mRNA level of primary microglial cells treated with hypoxia combined with LPS was significantly up-regulated. Compared with the cells treated with hypoxia or LPS alone, the phosphorylation levels of p65 and IκBα in the BV2 cells treated with hypoxia combined with LPS were significantly increased. PDTC blocked the induction of CXCL10 gene expression by LPS in the BV2 cells. These results suggest that hypoxia promotes LPS-induced expression of CXCL10 in both animal and cell models, and NF-κB signaling pathway plays an important role in this process.
Animals ; Mice ; Chemokines, CXC/pharmacology* ; Hypoxia ; Ligands ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microglia/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/pharmacology* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of shikonin on the proliferation of human keratinocytes induced by IL-17 and secretion of chemokines, in order to discuss the mechanism of Shikonin in the treatment of psoriasis.

METHODIn vitro cultured HaCaT cells were stimulated by IL-17A (200 μg x L(-1)) and mixed with different concentrations (2, 1 mg x L(-1)) of shikonin for 24 hours. The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell secretion inflammatory factor interleukin-23 (IL-23) was detected by ELISA. The expressions of intracellular chemokines CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL20 and 6-defensin 4 (DEFB4) were detected by Real-time PCR.

RESULTShikonin (2,1 mg x L(-1)) could distinctly inhibit HaCaT cell proliferation induced by IL-17A, with statistical difference (P < 0.01). Each shikonin group showed decreases in the secretion of IL-23 and inhibition in expressions of intracellular CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL20 and DEFB4.

CONCLUSIONShikonin could inhibit HaCaT cells proliferation induced by IL-17 and secretion of relevant cytokines and recruit leukocytes by inhibiting chemokines, so as to show the effect in treating psoriasis.

Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chemokines ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Naphthoquinones ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of folic acid on homocysteine (Hcy)-induced chemokine secretion and NADPH oxidase activity in human monocytes.

METHODSHuman monocytes from healthy volunteers were incubated with Hcy (100 micromol/L) with or without folic acid (5 micromol/L) for 24 h; MCP-1 and IL-8 were assessed by ELISA. DCFH-DA was added to monitor intracellular ROS production on confocal microscopy. A cytochrome c reduction assay was used to measure NADPH oxidase activity.

RESULTSThe Hcy-induced secretion of MCP-1 and IL-8 was significantly reduced by folic acid [(1.88 +/- 0.51) ng/ml vs. (4.36 +/- 0.72) ng/ml vs. (2.40 +/- 0.60) ng/ml and (4.9 +/- 1.9) ng/ml vs. (12.7 +/- 1.5) ng/ml vs. (7.2 +/- 1.9) ng/ml, all P < 0.05]. The Hcy-induced production of ROS was also significantly attenuated by folic acid. Moreover, the Hcy-induced NADPH oxidase activity increase was significantly inhibited by cotreatment with folic acid.

CONCLUSIONFolic acid may attenuate oxidative stress induced by Hcy by reducing NADPH oxidase activity in monocytes.

Cells, Cultured ; Chemokines ; secretion ; Folic Acid ; pharmacology ; Homocysteine ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; secretion ; NADPH Oxidases ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Receptors, CCR2 ; metabolism

This study was aimed to investigate the importance of chemokine SDF-1 in maintaining proliferation ability of acute myelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 when the effects of SDF-1 on HL-60 cell proliferation were inhibited. Marrow stromal cells were cultured and co-cultured with HL-60 cells, and SDF-1 activity was blocked with anti-CXCR4 McAb. HL-60 cell activity was detected by MTT while cell cycle and the expression of CXCR4 on HL-60 cell membrane were observed by flow cytometry meanwhile. The internal calcium ionic concentration in HL-60 cell was detected as well before and after treated with 12G5. The results showed that 12G5 down-regulated the expression of CXCR4 on HL-60 cell membrane; HL-60 cells at G(0)/G(1) phase increased, but decreased at S phase; survive rate of leukemia cells reduced; the intercellular calcium ionic concentration of HL-60 cell decreased after treated with 12G5. It was concluded that brockage of the SDF-1 activity may inhibit proliferation of leukemia cell at certain level.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cell Survival ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; Chemokines, CXC ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; HL-60 Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; analysis

OBJECTIVE: Aconite is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been found to inhibit the development of liver cancer; however, its exact molecular mechanisms in this process remain unclear. This study explores how aconite aqueous extract (AAE) inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: An in vivo mouse model of subcutaneous liver cancer was established. After AAE treatment, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to determine the effect of AAE on natural killer (NK) cells. Subsequently, C57BL/6 mice were used to establish the subcutaneous tumor model, and a group of these mice were treated with anti-PK163 antibody to remove NK cells, which was verified by flow cytometry and IHC. The effect of AAE on the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro was determined using cell counting kit-8. The effect of AAE on chemokine production in HCC cells was measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of AAE on the migration of NK cells was determined using a transwell assay. Finally, the molecular mechanism was investigated using the Western blotting method. RESULTS: We demonstrated that the ability of AAE to induce overexpression of the cytokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in HCC cells is fundamental to the infiltration of NK cells into the tumor bed. Mechanistically, we found that the upregulation of CCL2 was achieved by the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase but not extracellular regulated protein kinase or p38. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that AAE can be used as an effective immune adjuvant to enhance antitumor immunity by increasing NK cell infiltration into tumors, which could help to improve the efficacy of HCC treatments. Please cite this article as: Yang KD, Zhang X, Shao MC, Wang LN. Aconite aqueous extract inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma through CCL2-dependent enhancement of natural killer cell infiltration. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(6): 575-583.
Animals ; Mice ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Aconitum ; Ligands ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism* ; Chemokines/pharmacology* ; Cell Line, Tumor

Cytokine and chemokine receptors play a key role in inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two isoforms of human CC chemokine receptor R2 (CCR2), the receptor of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), have been identified but their relative expression in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and their contribution to inflammatory responses mediated by MCP-1 or inflammatory cytokines in patients with RA remain uncertain. We examined the pattern of expression of two CCR2 isoforms upon stimulation by proinflammatory cytokines and CD40 ligation. FLS were prepared from the synovial tissues of RA patients and cultured in the presence of MCP-1, soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), TGF-beta, IL-1beta, IL-18, IL-15, and LPS. CCR2A and CCR2B expression was examined by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and western blot analysis. IL-15, TNF-alpha and MCP-1 production was determined by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry showed that CCR2A is highly expressed in RA synovium compared with OA synovium. Transcripts of both CCR2A and CCR2B were detected in FLS. Exogenous MCP-1, CD40L, TGF-beta, and IL-15 significantly increased the expression of CCR2A but not CCR2B. Exposure of FLS to sCD40L caused strong upregulation of CCR2A but not of CCR2B protein expression. MCP-1 increased the proliferation of FLS and the production of IL-15, TNF-alpha, and IL-18. Because CCR2A is the main target of regulation by cytokines and CD40 ligation, the relatively higher expression of CCR2A on the cell surface suggests that this isoform of MCP-1 receptor functions as the principal mediator of inflammatory signals in RA FLS.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/*metabolism ; CD40 Ligand/*pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL2/*pharmacology ; Chemokines/biosynthesis ; Fibroblasts/*metabolism ; Humans ; Protein Isoforms ; Receptors, CCR2/*biosynthesis ; Synovial Membrane/*pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/*pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inducing effect of 'modified' cytokine cocktail on the dendritic cell maturation and migration capability.

METHODSPBMNC were isolated from human peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) by using density gradient centrifugation, the immature DC (imDC) were induced by using GM-CSF and IL-4 in vitro. Total A549 RNA was transfected into imDC by using electroporation, which was stimulated to matuation by the "gold standard" cytokine cocktail and "modified" cytokine cocktail, respectively. The expression of DC surface markers (CD11c, HLA-DR, CD80, CD83 and CD86) and chemokine receptor (CCR5, CCR7 and CXCR4) were detected by flow cytometry; the mRNA expression levels of DC chemokine receptor (CCR2, CCR5, CCR7, CXCR3 and CXCR4) and chemokine (CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CXCL10 and CXCL12) were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSAs compared with "gold standard cytokine cocktail", the "modified" cytokine cocktail-induced DC expressed higher levels of surface markers (CD11c, HLA-DR, CD80, CD83 and CD86), chemokine receptors (CXCR4) and chemokine (CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CXCL10 and CXCL12).

CONCLUSIONThe "modified" cytokine cocktail can more effectively induce the DC maturation, enhace the migratory capability of DC and more generate the immunostimulatory DC, when compared with the "gold standard" cytokine cocktail effect.

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Chemokines ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Chemokine ; metabolism