Based on the CX3C chemokine ligand 1(CX3CL1)-CX3C chemokine receptor 1(CX3CR1) axis, this study explored the potential mechanism by which Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula(ZGJTJY) improved neuroinflammation and enhanced neuroprotective effect in a rat model of diabetes mellitus complicated with depression(DD). The DD rat model was established by feeding a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin(STZ) intraperitoneal injection for four weeks and chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) combined with isolated cage rearing for five weeks. The rats were divided into a control group, a model group, a positive control group, an inhibitor group, and a ZGJTJY group. The open field test and forced swimming test were used to assess the depression-like behaviors of the rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was performed to measure the expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in plasma. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1), postsynaptic density protein-95(PSD95), and synapsin-1(SYN1) in the hippocampus. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, Nissl staining, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) fluorescence staining were performed to assess hippocampal neuronal damage. Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, A2A adenosine receptor(A2AR), glutamate receptor 2A(NR2A), glutamate receptor 2B(NR2B), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the hippocampus. Compared with the model group, the ZGJTJY group showed improved depression-like behaviors in DD rats, enhanced neuroprotective effect, increased expression of PSD95, SYN1, and BDNF(P<0.01), and decreased expression of Iba1, IL-1β, and TNF-α(P<0.01), as well as the expression of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, A2AR, NR2A, and NR2B(P<0.01). These results suggest that ZGJTJY may exert its neuroprotective effect by inhibiting the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis and activation of hippocampal microglia, thereby improving neuroinflammation and abnormal activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR) subunits, and ultimately enhancing the expression of synaptic-related proteins PSD95, SYN1, and BDNF in the hippocampus.
Rats ; Animals ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Receptors, Glutamate ; CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1/genetics*

Adoptive immunotherapy based on chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells (CAR-T) is one of the most promising strategies to treat malignant tumors, but its application in solid tumors is still limited. Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a meaningful diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The second/third generation GPC3-targeted CAR-T cells are generated to treat HCC. In order to improve the therapeutic effect, we constructed a fourth-generation lentiviral vector to express GPC3 CAR, human interleukin-7 (IL-7) and CCL19. Then the lentiviral vector and packaging plasmids were co-transfected into HEK293T cells to generate CAR lentiviral particles. Human T lymphocyte cells were transduced with CAR lentiviral to develop the fourth-generation GPC3-targeted CAR-T cells (GPC3-BBZ-7×19). In vitro, we used cell counting, transwell assay, luciferase bioluminescence assay and flow cytometry to compare the proliferation, chemotaxis, cytotoxicity and subtype distribution between GPC3-BBZ-7×19 CAR-T cells and the second generation GPC3-targeted CAR-T cells (GPC3-BBZ). In vivo, we established GPC3-positive HCC xenograft model in immunodeficient mice, then untransduced T cells (non-CAR-T) or GPC3-BBZ-7×19 CAR-T cells were injected. Tumor growth in mice was observed by bioluminescence imaging. Results showed that compared with GPC3-BBZ CAR-T, GPC3-BBZ-7×19 CAR-T cells had stronger proliferation, chemotactic ability, and higher composition of memory stem T cells (Tscm) (P values<0.05). However, there were no significant difference in cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion between them. In addition, GPC3-BBZ-7×19 CAR-T cells could significantly eliminate GPC3-positive HCC xenografts established in immunodeficient mice. Therefore, the fourth-generation GPC3-targeted CAR-T cells (secreting IL-7 and CCL19) are expected to be more durable and effective against HCC and produce tumor-specific memory, to provide a preclinical research basis for future clinical trials.
Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chemokine CCL19 ; metabolism ; Glypicans ; metabolism ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Interleukin-7 ; metabolism ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Liver Neoplasms ; Mice ; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

BACKGROUND: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EFGR) mutation was closely related to the invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma and the biological axis of CXCR4/CXCL12 (chemokine receptor 4/chemokine ligand 12) played an important role in the organ-specific metastasis of the tumor. It was a question surrounding whether there is interaction between them in the process of lung adenocarcinoma metastasis. To investigate the potential molecular mechanisms of EGFR over-expression and EFGR-mutations effects on cell proliferation, migration and invasion, we constructed EGFR over-expression and three EFGR-mutant human lung adenocarcinoma H1299 cell sublines. METHODS: EGFR over-expression and three EFGR-mutant (EGFR-E746-A750del, EGFR-T790M and EGFR-L858R) plasmid were designed and transfected H1299 cells with Lipofectamine 2000. H1299 cells transfected with empty vector were negative control (NC), and H1299 cells without transfection were set as blank control (BC). The effects of EGFR over-expression and mutations on the proliferation, migration and invasion of H1299 cells were detected by cell cloning assay, wound healing assay and Transwell assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, CXCR4 and CXCL12 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with negative control group and blank control group, EGFR over-expression and EGFR-E746-A750 deletion have significantly higher colony formation (28±2, 28.33±4.16; respectively) (P<0.05) and the cell migration and invasion ability were significantly increased (P<0.05). RT-PCR and Western blot assay showed that the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, CXCR4 and CXCL12 in EGFR over-expression and EGFR-E746-A750 deletion group were remarkably higher than that in negative control and blank control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS EGFR over-expression and 19 exon deletion can promote the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by up-regulating CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling pathway, leading to the change of tumor biological characteristics such as higher proliferation, migration and invasion ability.
Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; genetics ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; ErbB Receptors ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Mutation ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; genetics

Chemokine 12 (CXCL12), also known as stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and a member of the CXC chemokine subfamily, is ubiquitously expressed in many tissues and cell types. It interacts specifically with the ligand for the transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7. The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis takes part in a series of physiological, biochemical, and pathological process, such as inflammation and leukocyte trafficking, cancer-induced bone pain, and postsurgical pain, and also is a key factor in the cross-talking between tumor cells and their microenvironment. Aberrant overexpression of CXCR4 is critical for tumor survival, proliferation, angiogenesis, homing and metastasis. In this review, we summarized the role of CXCL12/CXCR4 in cancer, CXCR4 inhibitors under clinical study, and natural product CXCR4 antagonists. In conclusion, the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling is important for tumor development and targeting the pathway might represent an effective approach to developing novel therapy in cancer treatment.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Biological Products ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism

Recent studies have shown that the chemokine receptor CXCR3 and its ligand CXCL10 in the dorsal root ganglion mediate itch in experimental allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). CXCR3 in the spinal cord also contributes to the maintenance of neuropathic pain. However, whether spinal CXCR3 is involved in acute or chronic itch remains unclear. Here, we report that Cxcr3 mice showed normal scratching in acute itch models but reduced scratching in chronic itch models of dry skin and ACD. In contrast, both formalin-induced acute pain and complete Freund's adjuvant-induced chronic inflammatory pain were reduced in Cxcr3 mice. In addition, the expression of CXCR3 and CXCL10 was increased in the spinal cord in the dry skin model induced by acetone and diethyl ether followed by water (AEW). Intrathecal injection of a CXCR3 antagonist alleviated AEW-induced itch. Furthermore, touch-elicited itch (alloknesis) after compound 48/80 or AEW treatment was suppressed in Cxcr3 mice. Finally, AEW-induced astrocyte activation was inhibited in Cxcr3 mice. Taken together, these data suggest that spinal CXCR3 mediates chronic itch and alloknesis, and targeting CXCR3 may provide effective treatment for chronic pruritus.
Acetamides ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Chemokine CXCL10 ; metabolism ; Chloroquine ; toxicity ; Chronic Disease ; Cyclopropanes ; adverse effects ; Dehydration ; complications ; Dinitrofluorobenzene ; adverse effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Formaldehyde ; toxicity ; Freund's Adjuvant ; toxicity ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Pain ; chemically induced ; Pruritus ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Skin ; pathology ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Time Factors ; p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine ; toxicity

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate therapeutic eff ect of siRNA-HDAC5 on non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice by using small interference RNA (siRNA) technique to knock down the expression of HDAC5 in spleen CD4+ T cells. METHODS: NOD mice, 12-weeks old, were randomly divided into 3 groups and were given normal saline, siRNA-Control or siRNA-HDAC5 through caudal vein injection. The spleens and other samples were collected at the 18th, 24th or 30th week. The blood glucose was tested by blood glucose meter. The urinary albumin and serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α were detected by ELISA. The mRNA levels of CD11a, CCR5, and CX3CR1 in spleen CD4+ T cells were measured by quantitative Real-time PCR. The HDAC5 protein level in spleen CD4+ T cell was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the siRNA-HDAC5 group showed a significant decrease in blood glucose, urine albumin excretion rate, serum cytokine and the mRNA levels of CD11a, CCR5, and CX3CR1, consist with the decrease in protein level of HDAC5. CONCLUSION Inhibition of HDAC5 expression in NOD mice could effectively alleviate the onset and development of kidney damage caused by diabetes.
Animals ; CD11a Antigen ; metabolism ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1 ; Cytokines ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; genetics ; therapy ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Histone Code ; Histone Deacetylases ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, CCR5 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Chemokine ; metabolism ; Spleen ; cytology

This study was purposed to establish the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) stably overexpressing mouse CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) gene and to explore their function. The recombinant lentiviral vector LV-CXCR4-IRES-EGFP with packaging plasmid pSPAX2 and envelope plasmid pMD.2G were co-transfected into 293FT packaging cell line using lipofectamine 2000 to produce the recombinant lentiviral vectors. The recombinant viruses were harvested and concentrated by using ultracentrifugation. Mouse bone marrow MSC were infected with the viral supernatants. Variable methods were used to optimize the transduction condition. EGFP expression was visualized using fluorescence microscope and efficiency of infection was determined by flow cytometry (FCM). Proliferation and apoptosis were detected by proliferation curve and FCM, respectively. Migration capacity was assessed by a chemotaxis assay using transwell. Expression of EGFP were detected by fluorescence microscopy in MSCs after infection. The results showed that through optimization of infection condition, the recombination lentiviral vectors had higher infection efficacy; after infection for 72 h, the higher expression of EGFP could be observed under fluorescence microscope; the expression of CXCR4 protein on MSC surface in CXCR4-MSC group significantly increased compared with those in the control group. Meanwhile, over-expression of CXCR4 had no effect on their capacity of proliferation and did not induce apoptosis. Moreover, CXCR4 enhanced the migration of cells in the transwell induced by SDF-1 gradient compared with the EGFP control group. It is concluded that the lentiviral vector can not only infect mouse MSCs efficiently, but also can make CXCR4 express stably in MSC.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; Flow Cytometry ; Genetic Vectors ; Lentivirus ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Mice ; Plasmids ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVEThis review focuses on the state-of-the-art of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in pancreatic cancer and its role in tumor progression.

DATA SOURCESRelevant articles published in English were identified by searching in Pubmed from 1997 to 2013, with keywords "CXCL12", "CXCR4" and "pancreatic cancer". Important references from selected articles were also retrieved.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles about CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in pancreatic cancer and relevant mechanisms were selected.

RESULTSPancreatic cancer has been one of the most lethal human malignancies, with median survival less than one year and overall 5-year survival only 6%. Tumor cells from pancreatic cancer express high level of CXCR4. CXCL12, the ligand for CXCR4, is extensively secreted by neighboring stromal cells and other distant organs. CXCL12 primarily binds to CXCR4, induces intracellular signaling through several divergent pathways, which are involved in progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSIONSCXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis may play an important role in the communication between pancreatic cancer cells and their microenvironment, which may have effect on tumor proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis and chemoresistance. CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis may serves as a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

Chemokine CXCL12 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; physiology

This study was purposed to explore the expression of p57kip2 in the bone marrow of patients with de novo myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and its role in MDS pathogenesis, as well as the relationship between the expression of p57kip2 and SDF-1/CXCR4 signal. The expression of p57kip2 and CXCR4 in 67 de novo MDS patients was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. The percentage of CD34(+) cells in the bone marrow from MDS patients was measured by flow cytometry. 18 healthy volunteers were recruited for control. The effect of SDF-1 on p57kip2 expression in bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMNC) from MDS or normal controls was investigated in vitro, and difference between them was compared. The results showed that low-risk MDS and high-risk MDS displayed a significant reduction of p57kip2 mRNA expression in BMMNC compared with that in control group (P < 0.001) and there was a negative correlation between p57kip2 expression and percentage of CD34(+) (r = -0.458, P < 0.001); the patients with abnormal karyotype showed lower expression of p57kip2 gene, compared to patients with normal karyotype (P = 0.045). Although the expression of CXCR4 had no difference between MDS patients and normal controls, a positive correlation between p57kip2 and CXCR4 in MDS patients was still found (r = 0.609, P < 0.001). Moreover, SDF-1 increased p57kip2 expression in normal BMMNC in dose-dependent manner, but BMMNC from MDS patients showed no response to SDF-1. SDF-1-induced p57 expression was blocked by AMD3100. It is concluded that the low expression of p57 gene in MDS may play a role in the pathogenesis of MDS. Furthermore, SDF-1-induced p57kip2 expression in BMMNC, and the decreasing response of BMMNC to SDF-1 may contribute to the low expression of p57kip2 in MDS patients.
Case-Control Studies ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p57 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe Fc receptor associated pathway might improve the immune responses against hepatitis B virus (HBV) as previously described by us. In addition, the Flt3 ligand (FL) has been reported to potentiate antigen presenting cells in vivo and may act as a potential adjuvant to boost antigen-specific immune responses. In this study, the immune efficacies of a set of fusion proteins of HBsAg and Fc and/or FL were evaluated in HBsAg transgenic mice.

METHODSThe fusion proteins composed of HBsAg and the Fc domain of murine IgG1 (HBsAg-Fc) and/or the Flt3 ligand, and yeast-derived recombinant HBsAg were used as immunogen to immunize HBsAg transgenic mice, respectively. Serum and liver HBsAg levels, serum anti-HBsAg and cytokine profile, and the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/AST were investigated after immunization.

RESULTSAfter six injections, the most pronounced decrease in serum and liver HBsAg levels was observed in the HBsAg-Fc immunized group. In addition, serum Th1 cytokines and ALT/AST activities were highest in this group, indicating an effective induction of a favorable cellular immune response. Interestingly, the fusion protein containing HBsAg-Fc and the Flt3 ligand stimulated an alternative Th1-type immune response featured with high level productions of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoabstractant protein 1 (MCP-1), causing a more severe cytotoxicity in hepatocytes while showed less effective in reducing serum HBsAg level.

CONCLUSIONHBsAg-Fc is effective in eliciting both the humoral and cellular immune responses against HBsAg in HBsAg transgenic mice, which makes it a potential immunogen for the immunotherapy of chronic hepatitis B.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Immunity, Cellular ; immunology ; Immunity, Humoral ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Receptors, Fc ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism