OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression and clinical significance of chemokine CXCL10 and CXCR3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The expression and prognostic of CXCL10 and CXCR3 in HCC tumor tissues and non-tumor tissues were analyzed in two different publicly available databases the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Liver Cancer Institute (LCI). In addition, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of CXCL10 and CXCR3 in 45 HCC clinical samples with HBV infection background. Pearson correlation and Spearman rank correlation were used to determine the correlation between the expression level of CXCL10 and CXCR3 in tumor and non-tumor tissues. RESULTS: In TCGA database, the expression of CXCL10 in HCC tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in non-tumor tissues (nonpaired samples: 3.379±2.081 vs. 2.213±2.274, P<0.001; paired samples: 3.159±2.267 vs. 2.213±2.274, P=0.018). Similarly in LCI datebase (7.625±1.683 vs. 7.287±1.328, P=0.009). And higher CXCL10 expression was significantly associated with a better prognosis in the patients with HCC both in TCGA and LCI database (P=0.107, P=0.002). In TCGA database, the expression of CXCR3 in HCC tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in non-tumor tissues (nonpaired samples: -0.906±1.697 vs. -1.978±1.629, P<0.001; paired samples: -1.329±1.732 vs. -1.978±1.629, P=0.037), while lower in LCI database (3.989±0.339 vs. 4.074±0.309, P=0.003). In both databases, higher CXCR3 expression was significantly associated with a better prognosis in the HCC patients (P=0.004, P=0.014). Furthermore, in TCGA database, the expression level of CXCL10 and CXCR3 was positively correlated both in HCC tumor tissues and matched non-tumor tissues (r=0.584, P<0.001; r=0.776, P<0.001). The qPCR assay showed that the expression of CXCL10 in HBV-related HCC tumor tissues was significantly higher than those in normal liver tissues [0.479(0.223, 1.094) vs. 0.131(0.106, 0.159), P=0.010], and the expression in HBV-related non-tumor tissues was also significantly higher than those in normal liver tissues [0.484(0.241, 0.846) vs. 0.131(0.106, 0.159), P<0.001]. The same was true as CXCR3 [0.011(0.006, 0.019) vs. 0.002(0.001, 0.004), P=0.004; 0.016(0.011, 0.021) vs. 0.002(0.001, 0.004), P<0.001]. However there was no significant difference of CXCL10 and CXCR3 between tumor tissues and matched non-tumor tissues (P=1.000, P=0.374). CONCLUSION Expression of CXCL10 was up-regulated in HCC tissues, expression of CXCR3 was down-regulated in HBV-related HCC tissues, and the higher expression of both genes was correlated with better overall survival in HCC patients.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism* ; Chemokine CXCL10/metabolism* ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Receptors, CXCR3/metabolism*

Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Receptors, CCR5 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; Receptors, Chemokine ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of chemokine receptor CXCR3 in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to detect CXCR3 in lymph nodes and extranodal tissues in 25 newly diagnosed MCL patients. The correlation of the expression of CXCR3 level with clinical features and prognostic factors was analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-five tumor submitted specimens all expressed CXCR3 at varied degrees. The expression levels of CXCR3 in lymph nodes (LN) and bone marrow (BM) were higher than those in peripheral blood (PB), and the expression intensity in BM positively correlated with the involved tumor numbers. The absolute values of lymphocytes and hemoglobins level in PB of CXCR3high group were significantly lower than those in CXCR3low group (all P<005). The CXCR3 expression in tumor cells significantly correlated with LDH level, β2-MG level, Ki-67 index, MIPI score and the BM involvement (all P<0.05). But, there was no correlation between the CXCR3 expression and clinical stage, histomorphology (all P>0.05). The overall response rate (ORR) in CXCR3low group was significantly higher than that in CXCR3high group (P=0.001). The expression level of CXCR3 in MCL cells of the effective group was significantly lower than that before treatment (P=0.038), and the CXCR3 expression in the ineffective group was significantly higher than that before treatment (P=0.002). After following up, it was found that the 3-year overall survival (OS) time and progression-free survival (PFS) time in CXCR3high group were significantly shorter than those in CXCR3low group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION The expression level of CXCR3 in MCL closely relates with early metastasis and prognosis. CXCR3 can be used as one of the indicators for clinical efficacy and prognosis evaluation.
Bone Marrow ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell ; Prognosis ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study CXCR3 and CCR5 chemokine receptor expression in spleens of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and its clinical significance.

METHODSThe splenectomy specimens from 10 ITP patients (ITP group) and 8 patients with traumatic splenic rupture (normal control group) were studied. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to study the positive rate of CXCR3 and CCR5. Western blot was performed to detect CXCR3 and CCR5 protein expression, while real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to analyze their mRNA expression.

RESULTSThe positive rate of CXCR3 and CCR5 were both higher in ITP group (90% and 100%, respectively) than those in control group (75% and 87.5%, respectively)(P < 0.05). The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Protein and mRNA level of CXCR3 in ITP group were 3.0 and 3.5 times as high as those in control group, respectively. Those of CCR5 in ITP group were 1.2 and 1.7 times as high as those in control group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONHigh expression of CXCR3 and CCR5 may play a part in the splenic immune disorders in patients with ITP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, CCR5 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; metabolism ; Spleen ; metabolism ; Thrombocytopenia ; immunology ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) and its by-products (trichloroacetic acid, TCA; dichloroacetic acid, DCA) on the normal human peripheral blood lymphocyte and the role of DCA in dermatitis medicamentosa- like induced by trichloroethylene (DMLT).

METHODSLymphocyte was isolated from peripheral venous blood, and cytotoxicity of human lymphocytes treated with different concentrations (0.02 approximately 30.00 mmol/L) of DCA was determined at indicated times (2 h and 4 h) based on the MTS assay. Action of DCA on cell viability, membrane integrity was assessed by neutral red uptake (NRU) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release test and measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (FQ-RT-PCR) was employed for detection and quantization of the chemokine receptor CXCR2 and chemokine receptor CXCR3 mRNA in peripheral blood lymphocyte treated with different concentrations of DCA.

RESULTSDCA had a more vital effect on peripheral blood lymphocyte than TCE and TCA. A concentration-dependent release of LDH was observed at 4 h after cells were exposed to different doses of DCA (0.88, 1.75, 3.50 and 7.00 mmol/L) (P < 0.05), and DCA also caused an inhibition of SOD activity in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The results of FQ- RT- PCR indicated that CXCR2 and CXCR3 mRNA were all over- expression. At 48 h after the DCA of 0.5 mmol/L and 10.00 mmol/L was used, CXCR2 and CXCR3 mRNA were 10.34, 5.66-fold and 19.43, 8.75-fold of those in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDCA is of a great cytotoxicity and may be one of crucial evocators on DMLT.

Adolescent ; Cells, Cultured ; Dichloroacetic Acid ; toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Interleukin-8B ; metabolism ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies have shown that local immune cells in the feto-maternal interface are recruited from peripheral blood, and that chemokines and their receptors play an initial and key role in this recruitment process. In this study, we aimed to determine whether spontaneous abortion is associated with the expression of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR3 on CD4(+) T cells.

METHODSPeripheral blood, spleen, and thymus were collected from the spontaneous abortion mouse model CBA/JxDBA/2 (SA group, n = 14), the normal pregnant mouse model CBA/JxBALB/c (NP group, n = 13), and normal non-pregnant CBA/J mice (NNP group, n = 11). The number of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR3 expressed on CD4(+) T cells was measured by double-label flow cytometry (FCM) method.

RESULTSIn peripheral blood, the SA group had significantly lower CCR3 expression (P < 0.01) and higher CCR5 and CXCR3 expression (P < 0.01) on CD4(+) T cells than did the NP group. But comparing these chemokines between the SA and NNP groups, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). In spleen, the SA group expressed significantly lower CCR3 expression (P < 0.01) and higher CCR5 and CXCR3 expression (P < 0.05) on CD4(+) T cells than did the NP group. When compared with the NNP group, the SA group had significantly higher CCR3 expression (P < 0.01), but was not statistically different with regards to the other two chemokines (P > 0.05). In thymus, the SA group had significantly lower CCR3 expression (P < 0.05) and higher CXCR3 expression (P < 0.05) on CD4(+) T cells than the NP group, with no significant difference in CCR5 expression (P > 0.05). Compared with the NNP group, the SA group had higher CCR3 expression (P < 0.01), but there was no statistical difference in CXCR3 and CCR5 expression (P > 0.05) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal expression of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4(+) T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion.

Animals ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Embryo Loss ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, CCR3 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CCR5 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; metabolism ; Spleen ; metabolism ; Thymus Gland ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDChemokines and their receptors have been a research focus in transplantation immunology. Chemokines and their receptors play a role in lymphocyte recruitment and differentiation process. This study aimed to observe whether IL-4 and IL-10 may regulate the expression of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4(+) T cells in CBA/JxDBA/2 mouse model and to explore the role of CCR3, CCR5, CXCR3 in immune tolerance in pregnancy.

METHODSThe mouse model of spontaneous abortion (CBA/JxDBA/2) and the normal pregnant mouse model (CBA/JxBALB/c) were used. CBA/JxDBA/2 mice were injected with IL-4 (CBA/JxDBA/2-IL-4), IL-4 and IL-10 (CBA/JxDBA/2-IL-4+IL-10), or normal saline (CBA/JxDBA/2-NS) as a control. The expression of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4(+) T cells from mouse peripheral blood was measured by the double-labelled FCM method, and the embryo resorption rate was also examined.

RESULTSThe embryo resorption rate in the CBA/JxDBA/2 group without any treatment was significantly higher than that in the CBA/JxBALB/c group (17.9% vs 3.7%, P < 0.01). The embryo resorption rate in the CBA/JxDBA/2 group immunized with IL-4 or IL-4 together with IL-10 was significantly decreased, compared with that in the control and NS groups respectively. CCR3 expression on CD4(+) T cells in the CBA/JxDBA/2 group without any treatment was significantly lower than that in the CBA/JxBALB/c group (0.3738 +/- 0.3575 vs 1.2190 +/- 0.2772, P < 0.01); both CCR5 (3.0900 +/- 1.5603 vs 1.2390 +/- 0.6361, P < 0.01) and CXCR3 (2.4715 +/- 0.9074 vs 0.9200 +/- 0.5585, P < 0.01) expressions on CD4(+) T cells of the CBA/JxDBA/2 group without any treatment were significantly higher than those of the CBA/JxBALB/c group. Significant up-regulation of CCR3 and down-regulation of CXCR3 were found in the CBA/JxDBA/2 group treated with IL-4 (CCR3: 2.0360 +/- 0.6944, CXCR3: 1.3510 +/- 0.5263, P < 0.01) or IL-4 and IL-10 (CCR3: 1.8160 +/- 1.0947, CXCR3:1.0940 +/- 0.7168, P < 0.01). Because of the CCR5, IL-4 and IL-10 (1.9400 +/- 0.8504 vs 3.0900 +/- 1.5603, P < 0.05), but IL-4 alone (2.5310 +/- 1.3595 vs 3.0900 +/- 1.5603, P > 0.05) treatment significantly decreased the expression of CCR5 in CBA/JxDBA/2.

CONCLUSIONSThe abnormal expression of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4(+) T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion. The pregnancy immune tolerance may be induced through selective induction of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 expressions by IL-4 together with IL-10.

Animals ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryo Loss ; metabolism ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Female ; Interleukin-10 ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, CCR3 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CCR5 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of chemokine receptor CXCR3 in patients with atopic dermatitis.

METHODSThe expression of CXCR3 mRNA was measured by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the relationship between CXCR3 mRNA expression and the disease severity (graded according to SCORAD index system) was assessed by correlation analysis.

RESULTSCXCR3 mRNA expression was significantly higher in patients with atopic dermatitis than in healthy control subjects (P7lt;0.01), and showed obvious positive correlation with SCORAD index system.

CONCLUSIONThese data suggest an important role of CXCR3 in the development and progression of atopic dermatitis.

Adolescent ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) in bleomycin-induced lung injury by using CXCR3 gene deficient mice.

METHODSSex-, age-, and weight-matched C57BL/6 CXCR3 gene knockout mice and C57BL/6 wide type mice were challenged by injection of bleomycin via trachea. Lung tissue was stained with HE method. Airway resistance was measured. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed using phosphate buffered saline twice, cell number and differentials were counted by Diff-Quick staining. Interleukin (IL)4, IL-5, IL-12p40, and interfon-y in BAL fluid and lung homogenate were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Unpaired t test was explored to compare the difference between two groups.

RESULTSOn day 7 after bleomycin injection via trachea, CXCR3 knockout mice were protected from bleomycin-induced lung injury as evidenced by fewer accumulation of inflammatory cells in the airway and lung interstitium compared with their wild type littermates (P < 0.05). Airway resistance was also lower in CXCR3 knockout mice compared with wild type mice (P < 0.01). Significantly lower level of inflammatory cytokines release, including the altered production of IL-4 and IL-5 both in BAL fluid and lung tissue was seen in CXCR3 knockout mice than in wild type mice (both P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCXCR3 signaling promotes inflammatory cells recruiting and initiates inflammatory cytokines cascade following endotracheal bleomycin administration, indicating that CXCR3 might be a therapeutic target for pulmonary injury.

Airway Resistance ; Animals ; Bleomycin ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Cell Count ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Neutrophils ; cytology ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; Receptors, Chemokine ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of CXCR3 and its association with clinicopathologic features in breast carcinoma.

METHODSThe expression level of CXCR3 in 18 samples of breast cancer and corresponding normal tissues was investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time RT-PCR analysis. Immunohistochemistry was carried out to examine the expression of CXCR3 in 80 breast cancers, 20 fibroadenomas and 15 normal breast tissues.

RESULTS(1) RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR analysis showed a higher level of CXCR3 in breast cancer tissues than that in the corresponding normal breast tissues (P < 0.05). (2) Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the positive rate of CXCR3 in breast cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in fibroadenomas and the normal breast tissues (P < 0.05). The expression level of CXCR3 in the lymph node-positive group was higher than that in the lymph node-negative group (P < 0.05). The expression of CXCR3 was positively correlated with the number of lymph nodes involved by metastasis, tumor size and pTNM tumor stage (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChemokine receptor CXCR3 was up-regulated in breast cancer, and was associated with the progression of breast cancer. CXCR3 might be a novel molecular marker to predict lymph node metastasis and prognosis of breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Fibroadenoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Burden