Preferential lipid association and mode of penetration of apocytochrome c in mixed model membranes as monitored by tryptophanyl fluorescence quenching using brominated phospholipids.

The fluorescence of the single tryptophan residue at position 59 in apocytochrome c, the biosynthetic precursor of the inner mitochondrial membrane protein cytochrome c, was studied in small unilamellar vesicles composed of phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) with or without specifically Br-labelled acyl chains at the sn-2 position. The protein has a very high affinity for PS-containing vesicles (dissociation constant Kd less than 1 microM). From the relative quenching efficiency by the brominated phospholipids, it could be concluded that the protein specifically associates with the PS component in mixed vesicles and that maximal quenching occurred with phospholipids in which the bromine was present at the 6,7-position of the 2-acyl chain suggesting that (part of) the bound protein penetrates 7-8 A deep into the hydrophobic core of the bilayer.

Preferential association of apocytochrome c with negatively charged phospholipids in mixed model membranes.

The mitochondrial precursor protein, apocytochrome c, binds to model membranes containing negatively charged phospholipids (Rietveld, A., Sijens, R., Verkleij, A.J. and Kruijff, B. (1983) EMBO J. 2, 907-913). In the present paper the effect of apocytochrome c on the lipid distribution in model membranes, consisting of neutral and acidic phospholipids, is examined. Both ESR and fluorescence energy transfer experiments show that the protein preferentially interacts with the negatively charged phospholipid in the mixed model membranes. Semi-quantitative analysis of the fluorescence energy transfer from the single tryptophan in apocytochrome c to the parinaric acid in phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylcholine in mixed bovine brain phosphatidylserine/egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles reveals and average donor-acceptor distance of 22-26 A and 26-30 A for phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine, respectively. In addition, these experiments demonstrate that this preferential interaction does not induce the separation of large domains enriched in complexes of apocytochrome c with negatively charged phospholipids and domains enriched in neutral lipids.

Identification of membrane proteins of human blood platelets with a hydrophobic photolabel.

A photoactivable glycolipid probe, 12-(4-azido-2-nitrophenoxy)stearoyl[1-14C]glucosamine, was used to label proteins and lipids of platelet membranes. The proteins were analyzed by two-dimensional high-resolution gelelectrophoresis. The labeling patterns showed that three membrane proteins were labeled which were not previously identified by ectolabeling (Sixma, J.J. and Schiphorst, M.E. (1980) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 603, 70-83). Analysis of the lipid fraction showed that phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine were labeled by the probe. The distinct labeling of phosphatidylserine strongly suggests that the probe redistributes between the two halves of the bilayer.

SR-12813 lowers plasma cholesterol in beagle dogs by decreasing cholesterol biosynthesis.

SR-12813 inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis in Hep G2 cells via an enhanced degradation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Here we also show that SR-12813 inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis in vivo. A sterol balance study was performed in normolipemic beagle dogs. The dogs were given SR-12813 orally at dosages of 10 and 25 mg/kg/day for a period of 9 days. After 7 days plasma cholesterol was decreased by 15% in the 10 mg/kg/day group and by 19% in the 25 mg/kg/day group. Using a dual isotope technique no effects on intestinal cholesterol absorption were observed. The sterol balance indicated that endogenous synthesis of cholesterol was reduced by 23% in the 10 mg/kg/day group and by 37% in the 25 mg/kg/day group. Plasma lathosterol-cholesterol levels in dogs treated with 25 mg/kg/day SR-12813 were reduced by 56%, confirming a reduction of the cholesterol biosynthesis. Treatment with SR-12813 or the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin resulted in a large decrease in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. It is concluded that SR-12813 reduces cholesterol biosynthesis in the dog model which results in a decrease of bile acid excretion, cholesterol excretion and plasma cholesterol level. The in vivo profile of SR-12813 is very similar to that of direct HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, although the mode of action of the compound is unique.

Selective binding of the truncated form of the chemokine CKbeta8 (25-99) to CC chemokine receptor 1(CCR1).

Human CC chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) has been proposed as a receptor for CKbeta8. To obtain conclusive evidence, binding-displacement studies of 125I-CKbeta8 (25-99) were performed on membranes of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human CCR1. The Ic50 for displacement of 125I-CKbeta8 (25-99) with CKbeta8 (25-99) was 0.22 nM. The longer forms of CKbeta8 (24-99 and 1-99) also displaced 125I-CKbeta8, with Ic50 values of 6.5 and 16 nM, respectively. Displacement profiles of 125I-CKbeta8 (25-99) on freshly prepared human monocytes indicated that CCR1 was the major receptor for CKbeta8. We conclude that CCR1 is a receptor for different-length CKbeta8 and that CKbeta8 (25-99) has a similar affinity for CCR1 as macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha). The longer variants of CKbeta8 are significantly less potent than CKbeta8 (25-99) and MIP-1a on CCR1 and monocytes (P < 0.05).

The role of fractalkine in the recruitment of monocytes to the endothelium.

Recombinant fractalkine possesses both chemoattractive and adhesive properties in vitro. Previous studies have demonstrated an upregulation of this molecule on the membranes of activated human endothelial cells and hypothesised that fractalkine plays a role in the recruitment and adherence of monocytes to the activated endothelium. Here we present data analysing both the adhesive and chemoattractive properties of this chemokine expressed by activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We demonstrate that both recombinant fractalkine and endogenously produced fractalkine function as adhesion molecules, tethering monocytes to the endothelium. However, our data demonstrate that although recombinant fractalkine has the potential to function as a potent monocyte chemoattractant, the endogenous fractalkine cleaved from activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells is not responsible for the observed chemotaxis in this model. Instead, we show that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), secreted from the activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells, is responsible for the chemotaxis of these monocytes.

The lipid binding site of the phosphatidylcholine transfer protein from bovine liver.

The phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PC-TP) from bovine liver has a binding site for phosphatidylcholine (PC). Structural and molecular characteristics of this site were investigated by binding PC-analogues carrying photolabile, fluorescent and short-chain fatty acids. Analysis of the photolabeled PC/PC-TP adduct showed that the hydrophobic peptide segment Val171-Phe-Met-Tyr-Tyr-Phe-Asp177 is part of the lipid binding site for the 2-acyl chain. This site was further studied by binding PC carrying cis-parinaric acid at the sn-2-position. Time resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements indicated that the 2-acyl chain was immobilized following the rotation of PC-TP. Similar experiments with PC carrying cis-parinaric acid at the sn-1-position demonstrated that the 1-acyl chain was immobilized as well but at a site distinctly different from that of the 2-acyl chain. Binding sites for the 1- and 2-acyl chain were then explored by use of PC-isomers carrying decanoic, lauric and myristic acid at the sn-1- (or sn-2-)-position and oleic acid at the sn-2- (or sn-1-)-position. Incubation with vesicles prepared of these PC-species indicated that binding to PC-TP diminished with decreasing acyl chain length but more so for species with short-chain fatty acids on the sn-2-position than on the sn-1-position. Transfer experiments confirmed that PC-TP discriminates between PC-isomers of apparently equal hydrophobicity favouring the transfer of these species carrying oleic acid at the sn-2-position.

Labeling of phospholipids in vesicles and human erythrocytes by photoactivable fatty acid derivatives.

The photoactivable glycolipid probes, 2-(4-azido-2-nitrophenoxy)palmitoyl[1-14C]glucosamine (compound A) and 12-(4-azido-2-nitrophenoxy)stearoyl[1-14C]glucosamine (compound B) were synthesized essentially as described before [Iwata, K. K. et al. (1978) Prog. Clin. Biol. Res. 22, 579-589]. These probes were used to label phospholipid vesicles and erythrocyte membranes. A chromatographic method was developed to quantify the individual probe-phospholipid adducts involving both phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine. For both membranes as well as for both probes a phospholipid labeling pattern was obtained which appeared to reflect the relative content of fatty acid double bonds in each phospholipid class. The distinct labeling of phosphatidylserine in intact erythrocytes strongly suggested that the probes spontaneously and rapidly redistributed between the two halves of the membrane bilayer. In addition, both probes yielded an extensive labeling of the membrane proteins. Analysis by dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography has indicated that the protein labeling pattern was different, depending on whether the 'shallow' probe (compound A) or 'depth' probe (compound B) were used.

Static and time-resolved fluorescence studies of fluorescent phosphatidylcholine bound to the phosphatidylcholine transfer protein of bovine liver.

Phosphatidylcholine analogues containing a cis- parinaroyl chain at the sn-1, sn-2, or both sn-1 and sn-2 positions (1-PnA-PC, 2-PnA-PC, and diPnA -PC, respectively) have been used to investigate the lipid binding site of the phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PC-TP) from bovine liver by fluorometric techniques. Binding of these fluorescent lipids to the protein was registered by measuring the enhancement of parinaroyl fluorescence and the quenching of the tryptophanyl fluorescence. The fluorescence intensity of 1-PnA-, 2-PnA- and diPnA -PC bound to PC-TP was proportional to the chromophore content. The energy-transfer efficiency between the tryptophan residues and the bound chromophores was approximately 40% for 1-PnA- and 2-PnA-PC and 60% for diPnA -PC. Quenching of the tryptophanyl fluorescence was, in part, accounted for by a decrease of the fluorescence lifetimes. The orientation of the 1 and 2 fatty acyl chains of the PnA-PC analogues on the transfer protein was analyzed by time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements. The fluorescence anisotropy decayed according to a single exponential function yielding a rotational correlation time of 26 ns for 1-PnA-PC, 11 ns for 2-PnA-PC, and 15 ns for diPnA -PC. These correlation times indicate that both fatty acyl chains are immobilized at different positions on the protein. From the difference in correlation time we propose that the shape of the phosphatidylcholine transfer protein is ellipsoidal (axial ratio congruent to 2.5) with the 1 fatty acyl chain oriented parallel to the long symmetry axis and having an angle of 60-90 degrees with the 2 fatty acyl chain.

Coupling of photoactivatable glycolipid probes to apolipoproteins A-I and A-II in human high density lipoproteins 2 and 3.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) from human serum was subfractionated into HDL2 and HDL3 by rate-zonal density gradient ultracentrifugation. The orientation of apoproteins (apo) A-I and A-II in these subfractions was investigated by use of the photosensitive glycolipid probes, 2-(4-azido-2-nitrophenoxy)-palmitoyl[1-14C]glucosamine (compound A) and 12-(4-azido-2-nitrophenoxy)-stearoyl[1-14C]glucosamine (compound B). Both probes were added to the HDL-structures in a ratio of two or three probe molecules per particle and were photoactivated by irradiation at a wavelength above 340 nm. After delipidation the probe-apoprotein adducts were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both the "shallow" probe (compound A) and the "depth" probe (compound B) were coupled for 10-14% (of the label added) to apoA-I and apoA-II from HDL3 and for about 6% to apoA-I and apoA-II from HDL2. By taking into account the relative amounts of apoA-I and apoA-II, it was estimated that the "shallow" probe labeled apoA-I 40% more effectively than apoA-II in both HDL2 and HDL3; the "depth" probe labeled apoA-I and apoA-II equally well in both subfractions. The data suggest that towards the surface HDL2 and HDL3 contain a relatively larger portion of apoA-I than apoA-II, whilst towards the core both subfractions are occupied by an equal portion of apoA-I and apoA-II. Application of these photolabels has failed to point out differences in the structural organization of HDL2 and HDL3.

Effects of a novel lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase inhibitor on the regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase in Hep G2 cells.

A 32-carboxylic acid derivative of lanosterol (SKF 104976) was found to be a potent inhibitor of lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase (14 alpha DM). 14 alpha DM activity in a Hep G2 cell extract was inhibited 50% by 2 nM SKF 104976. Exposure of intact cells to similar concentrations of the compound resulted in the inhibition of incorporation of [14C]acetate into cholesterol with concomitant accumulation of lanosterol as well as a 40-70% decrease in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) activity. SKF 104976 did not effect low density lipoprotein uptake and degradation in Hep G2 cells, suggesting that HMGR and low density lipoprotein receptor activity were not coordinately regulated under these conditions. Reduction of the flux of carbon units in the sterol synthetic pathway by as much as 80% did not alter the suppressing effect of SKF 104976 on HMGR activity. However, under conditions where sterol synthesis was almost completely blocked by lovastatin, HMGR activity was not suppressed by SKF 104976. Mevalonate, at concentrations that did not decrease HMGR activity, was able to restore the inhibiting effect of SKF 104976 on HMGR activity. The rapid inhibition (2-3 h) of HMGR activity by SKF 104976 to 30-60% of the level in controls was not dependent on the initial amount of HMGR enzyme present. These findings suggest that upon inhibition of 14 alpha DM by SKF 104976, a mevalonate-derived precursor regulates HMGR activity, even when the sterol synthetic rate is considerably reduced and when HMGR protein levels are very high. In Hep G2 cells, formation of oxylanostenols from [3H]mevalonate reached a maximum between 1 and 10 nM SKF 104976 and was negligible at higher concentrations. This result suggests that oxylanostenols are not the key mediators of the modulation of HMGR in Hep G2 cells upon 14 alpha DM inhibition.

Induction of cytochrome P4503A by the antiglucocorticoid mifepristone and a novel hypocholesterolaemic drug.

Rat liver microsomal testosterone (250 microM) hydroxylation and immunoreactive CYP3A protein were compared after administration of the antiglucocorticoid RU 486 (50 mg.kg-1.day-1 for 4 days) and the hypocholesterolaemic drug SR-12813 (150 mg.kg-1.day-1 for 4 days). Markers of CYP3A-mediated enzyme activity (testosterone 15 beta-, 6 beta-, and 2 beta-hydroxylation) were increased after administration of both drugs. Testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylation was increased 5-fold by RU 486 and 9-fold by SR-12813. Administration of dexamethasone alone at 150 mg.kg-1.day-1 or in combination with RU 486 induced testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylation 15- to 20-fold. The lack of antagonistic effect of RU 486 on dexamethasone-mediated CYP3A induction strengthens support for the hypothesis that the "classical glucocorticoid receptor" does not play a part in this process. The induction of CYP3A enzymes by the bisphosphonate SR-12813 suggests the existence of a new class of compounds with CYP3A inducing properties.

Analysis of histones from the yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis.

Basic chromosomal proteins were isolated from the chromatin of the yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis by extraction with H2SO4 and were purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Electrophoresis of the purified fraction on acetic acid/urea gels revealed the presence of four main components. These four proteins were identified as histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 on the basis of their amino acid composition, molecular weight and solubility properties, all of which are very similar to the corresponding properties of the various histone proteins from other eukaryotic organisms. A fifth basic protein could be isolated from yeast chromatin by extraction with HClO4. The available evidence indicates this protein to be an H1-type histone. Yeast thus appears to contain a complete set of histone proteins which are strongly homologous to the histones occurring in higher eukaryotes.

The effect of (-)-hydroxycitrate on the activity of the low-density-lipoprotein receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase levels in the human hepatoma cell line Hep G2.

(-)-Hydroxycitrate, a potent inhibitor of ATP citrate-lyase, was tested in Hep G2 cells for effects on cholesterol homoeostasis. After 2.5 h and 18 h incubations with (-)-hydroxycitrate at concentrations of 0.5 mM or higher, incorporation of [1,5-14C]citrate into fatty acids and cholesterol was strongly inhibited. This most likely reflects an effective inhibition of ATP citrate-lyase. Cholesterol biosynthesis was decreased to 27% of the control value as measured by incorporations from 3H2O, indicating a decreased flux of carbon units through the cholesterol-synthetic pathway. After 18 h preincubation with 2 mM-(-)-hydroxycitrate, the cellular low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) receptor activity was increased by 50%, as determined by the receptor-mediated association and degradation. Measurements of receptor-mediated binding versus LDL concentration suggests that this increase was due to an increase in the numbers of LDL receptors. Simultaneously, enzyme levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase as determined by activity measurements increased 30-fold. Our results suggest that the increases in HMG-CoA reductase and the LDL receptor are initiated by the decreased flux of carbon units in the cholesterol-synthetic pathway, owing to inhibition of ATP citratelyase. A similar induction of HMG-CoA reductase and LDL receptor was also found after preincubations of cells with 0.3 microM-mevinolin, suggesting that the underlying mechanism for this induction is identical for both drugs.

The novel cholesterol-lowering drug SR-12813 inhibits cholesterol synthesis via an increased degradation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase.

SR-12813 (tetra-ethyl 2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl-1, 1-bisphosphonate) lowers plasma cholesterol in five species. In this paper we investigate the underlying mechanism using Hep G2 cells. SR-12813 inhibited incorporation of tritiated water into cholesterol with an IC50 of 1.2 microM but had no effect on fatty acid synthesis. Furthermore, SR-12813 reduced cellular 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity with an IC50 of 0.85 microM. The inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity was rapid with a T1/2 of 10 min. After a 16-h incubation with SR-12813, mRNA levels of HMG-CoA reductase and low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor were increased. The increased expression of LDL receptor translated into a higher LDL uptake, which can explain the primary hypocholesterolemic effect of SR-12813 in vivo. Western blot analysis indicated that the amount of HMG-CoA reductase protein rapidly decreased in the presence of SR-12813. Pulse-chase experiments with [35S]methionine showed that the T1/2 of HMG-CoA reductase degradation decreased in the presence of SR-12813 from 90 to 20 min. Pre-incubation with 50 microM of lovastatin did not prevent the effects of SR-12813 on HMG-CoA reductase degradation, indicating that the compound does not need mevalonate-derived regulators for its action. It is concluded that SR-12813 inhibits cholesterol synthesis mainly by an enhanced degradation of HMG-CoA reductase.

Separation of immunomodulatory and cholesterol-lowering activities of heterocyclic azaspiranes.

Azaspiranes are novel immunomodulators which are effective in a variety of autoimmune diseases. One azaspirane analog, SK&F 105685 (N,N-dimethyl-8,8-dipropyl-2-azaspiro [4.5] decane-2-propanamine dihydrochloride), caused a decrease in total serum cholesterol in dogs after oral administration. To determine whether an effect on cholesterol was common to this class of compounds, the immunomodulatory activity was compared with the cholesterol-lowering activity of six azaspirane analogs. The compounds were given to beagles at a dose of 1 mg/kg p.o. for 28 days, and the effect on serum cholesterol was determined. The results from this study showed a clear dissociation between the immunomodulatory and hypocholesterolemic activities of these compounds. Studies performed to determine the mechanism of the decrease in serum cholesterol caused by SK&F 105685 indicated that it was not due to inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase or acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activities, or to a potentiation of cholesterol-7 alpha-hydroxylase activity. In addition, analysis by gas chromatography of the nonsaponifiable sterol fraction in dog plasma after treatment with SK&F 105685 or SK&F 106333 showed a decrease in cholesterol and an accumulation of lathosterol and an unknown sterol, indicating that the conversion of these sterols is inhibited and cholesterol synthesis is blocked at these steps. SK&F 105685 affected the sterol profile in human hepatoblastoma cells (Hep G2) in a similar way. Characterization of the unknown sterol by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry indicated that the unknown sterol is very similar to cholesterol and lathosterol, but its identity has yet to be established. These results show that the hypocholesterolemic effects of azaspiranes are related to inhibition of one or more of the final steps in the biosynthetic pathway of cholesterol.

The role of ATP citrate-lyase in the metabolic regulation of plasma lipids. Hypolipidaemic effects of SB-204990, a lactone prodrug of the potent ATP citrate-lyase inhibitor SB-201076.

ATP citrate (pro-S)-lyase (EC 4.1.3.8), a cytosolic enzyme that generates acetyl-CoA for cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis de novo, is a potential target for hypolipidaemic intervention. Here we describe the biological effects of the inhibition of ATP citrate-lyase on lipid metabolism in Hep G2 cells, and plasma lipids in rats and dogs, by using SB-204990, the cell-penetrant gamma-lactone prodrug of the potent ATP citrate-lyase inhibitor SB-201076 (Ki=1 microM). Consistent with an important role of ATP citrate-lyase in the supply of acetyl-CoA units for lipid synthesis de novo, SB-204990 inhibited cholesterol synthesis and fatty acid synthesis in Hep G2 cells (dose-related inhibition of up to 91% and 82% respectively) and rats (76% and 39% respectively). SB-204990, when administered orally to rats, was absorbed into the systemic circulation; pharmacologically relevant concentrations of SB-201076 were recovered in the liver. When administered in the diet (0.05-0. 25%, w/w) for 1 week, SB-204990 caused a dose-related decrease in plasma cholesterol (by up to 46%) and triglyceride levels (by up to 80%) in rats. This hypolipidaemic effect could be explained, at least in part, by a decrease (up to 48%) in hepatic very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) production as measured by the accumulation of VLDL in plasma after injection of Triton WR-1339. SB-204990 (25 mg/kg per day) also decreased plasma cholesterol levels (by up to 23%) and triglyceride levels (by up to 38%) in the dog, preferentially decreasing low-density lipoprotein compared with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Overall these results are consistent with the concept that ATP citrate-lyase is an important enzyme in controlling substrate supply for lipid synthesis de novo and a potential enzyme target for hypolipidaemic intervention.

CCR2B receptor antagonists: conversion of a weak HTS hit to a potent lead compound.

A weak HTS hit at the CCR2B receptor has been converted into a potent antagonist by array SAR studies. Selectivity over the closely related CCR5 receptor is also achieved.

Cloning, in vitro expression, and functional characterization of a novel human CC chemokine of the monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP) family (MCP-4) that binds and signals through the CC chemokine receptor 2B.

Here we describe the characterization of a novel human CC chemokine, tentatively named monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-4). This chemokine was detected by random sequencing of expressed sequence tags in cDNA libraries. The full-length cDNA revealed an open reading frame for a 98-amino acid residue protein, and a sequence alignment with known CC chemokines showed high levels of similarity (59-62%) with MCP-1, MCP-3, and eotaxin. MCP-4 cDNA was cloned into Drosophila S2 cells, and the mature protein (residues 24-98) was purified from the conditioned medium. Recombinant MCP-4 induced a potent chemotactic response (EC50 = 2.88 +/- 0.15 nM) and a transient rise in cytosolic calcium concentration in fresh human peripheral blood monocytes but not in neutrophils. Binding studies in monocytes showed that MCP-4 and MCP-3 were very potent in displacing high affinity binding of 125I-MCP-1 (IC50 for MCP-4, MCP-3, and unlabeled MCP-1 of 2.1 +/- 1.4, 0.85-1.6, and 0.7 +/- 0.2 nM respectively), suggesting that all three chemokines interact with the CC chemokine receptor-2 (MCP-1 receptor). This was confirmed in binding studies with Chinese hamster ovary cells, stably transfected with the CC chemokine 2B receptor. Northern blot analysis in extracts of normal human tissues showed expression of mRNA for MCP-4 in small intestine, thymus, and colon, but the level of protein expression was too low to be detected in Western blot analysis. However, expression of MCP-4 protein was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in human atherosclerotic lesion and found to be associated with endothelial cells and macrophages.