Single or double? A comparison of evisceration techniques.

PURPOSE: We compared the rates of implant exposure and extrusion after evisceration with single and double scleral closure techniques. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all patients who underwent evisceration with an implant insertion over the past 18 years at Tung Wah Eastern Hospital and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. Clinical documents and operation records were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 81 ethnic Chinese patients (44 male) who underwent evisceration with primary implant insertion were reviewed. 39 (48%) patients underwent the double scleral closure technique with an implant placed posterior to the posterior sclera, and 42 (52%) patients underwent the single scleral closure technique with an implant inserted in the intra-scleral cavity. The follow-up interval was 70 months. The surgical indications were endophthalmitis (35%), painful blind eye (23%), traumatic disfigured globe (22%) and phthisis bulbi (20%). Silicone was the most used implant material (69%). The patients who underwent double scleral closure had a larger size of the implant (19.7 vs 17.9 mm, p < 0.05). Both implant exposure (26% vs 3%, p < 0.05) and implant extrusion (26% vs 0%, p < 0.05) were more common in patients who underwent single scleral. CONCLUSIONS: Double scleral closure technique allows a larger implant, and it is associated with a lower rate of implant exposure and extrusion. The double scleral closure technique is a superior technique of choice in these patients with primary implant placement.

Identification of CD147 (basigin) as a mediator of trophoblast functions.

STUDY QUESTION: Does CD147 regulate trophoblast functions in vitro? SUMMARY ANSWER: CD147 exists as a receptor complex on human trophoblast and regulates the implantation, invasion and differentiation of trophoblast. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: CD147 is a membrane protein implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions due to its regulation of cell-cell recognition, cell differentiation and tissue remodeling. Reduced placental CD147 expression is associated with pre-eclampsia, but the mechanism of actions remains unclear. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A loss of function approach or functional blocking antibody was used to study the function of CD147 in primary human cytotrophoblasts isolated from first trimester termination of pregnancy and/or in the BeWo cell line, which possesses characteristics of human cytotrophoblasts. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING METHODS: CD147 expression was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and western blotting. CD147-associated protein complex on plasma membrane were separated by blue native gel electrophoresis and identified by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight hybrid mass spectrometer. Cell proliferation and invasion were determined by fluorometric cell proliferation assays and transwell invasion assays, respectively. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) activities were measured by gelatin gel zymography and uPA assay kits, respectively. Cell migration was determined by wound-healing assays. Cell fusion was analyzed by immunocytochemistry staining of E-cadherin and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. The transcripts of matrix proteinases and trophoblast lineage markers were measured by quantitative PCR. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation was analyzed by western blot using antibodies against ERKs. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: CD147 exists as protein complexes on the plasma membrane of primary human cytotrophoblasts and BeWo cells. Several known CD147-interacting partners, including integrin ß1 and monocarboxylate transporter-1, were identified. Suppression of CD147 by siRNA significantly (P < 0.05) reduced trophoblast-endometrial cell interaction, cell invasion, syncytialization, differentiation and ERK activation of BeWo cells. Consistently, anti-CD147 functional blocking antibody suppressed the invasiveness of primary human cytotrophoblasts. The reduced invasiveness was probably due to the restrained (P < 0.05) enzyme activities of MMP-2, MMP-9 and uPA. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Most of the above findings are based on BeWo cell lines. These results need to be confirmed with human first trimester primary cytotrophoblast. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This is the first study on the role of CD147 in trophoblast function. Further investigation on the function of CD147 and its associated protein complexes will enhance our understanding on human placentation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was supported in part by the University of Hong Kong Grant 201011159200. The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Amyloid-beta induces chemotaxis and oxidant stress by acting at formylpeptide receptor 2, a G protein-coupled receptor expressed in phagocytes and brain.

Amyloid-beta, the pathologic protein in Alzheimer's disease, induces chemotaxis and production of reactive oxygen species in phagocytic cells, but mechanisms have not been fully defined. Here we provide three lines of evidence that the phagocyte G protein-coupled receptor (N-formylpeptide receptor 2 (FPR2)) mediates these amyloid-beta-dependent functions in phagocytic cells. First, transfection of FPR2, but not related receptors, including the other known N-formylpeptide receptor FPR, reconstituted amyloid-beta-dependent chemotaxis and calcium flux in HEK 293 cells. Second, amyloid-beta induced both calcium flux and chemotaxis in mouse neutrophils (which express endogenous FPR2) with similar potency as in FPR2-transfected HEK 293 cells. This activity could be specifically desensitized in both cell types by preincubation with a specific FPR2 agonist, which desensitizes the receptor, or with pertussis toxin, which uncouples it from G(i)-dependent signaling. Third, specific and reciprocal desensitization of superoxide production was observed when N-formylpeptides and amyloid-beta were used to sequentially stimulate neutrophils from FPR -/- mice, which express FPR2 normally. Potential biological relevance of these results to the neuroinflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease was suggested by two additional findings: first, FPR2 mRNA could be detected by PCR in mouse brain; second, induction of FPR2 expression correlated with induction of calcium flux and chemotaxis by amyloid-beta in the mouse microglial cell line N9. Further, in sequential stimulation experiments with N9 cells, N-formylpeptides and amyloid-beta were able to reciprocally cross-desensitize each other. Amyloid-beta was also a specific agonist at the human counterpart of FPR2, the FPR-like 1 receptor. These results suggest a unified signaling mechanism for linking amyloid-beta to phagocyte chemotaxis and oxidant stress in the brain.

Amyloid (beta)42 activates a G-protein-coupled chemoattractant receptor, FPR-like-1.

Amyloid beta (Abeta) is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although Abeta has been reported to be directly neurotoxic, it also causes indirect neuronal damage by activating mononuclear phagocytes (microglia) that accumulate in and around senile plaques. In this study, we show that the 42 amino acid form of beta amyloid peptide, Abeta(42), is a chemotactic agonist for a seven-transmembrane, G-protein-coupled receptor named FPR-Like-1 (FPRL1), which is expressed on human mononuclear phagocytes. Moreover, FPRL1 is expressed at high levels by inflammatory cells infiltrating senile plaques in brain tissues from AD patients. Thus, FPRL1 may mediate inflammation seen in AD and is a potential target for developing therapeutic agents.

Selective CXCR4 antagonism by Tat: implications for in vivo expansion of coreceptor use by HIV-1.

Chemokines and chemokine receptors play important roles in HIV-1 infection and tropism. CCR5 is the major macrophage-tropic coreceptor for HIV-1 whereas CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) serves the counterpart function for T cell-tropic viruses. An outstanding biological mystery is why only R5-HIV-1 is initially detected in new seroconvertors who are exposed to R5 and X4 viruses. Indeed, X4 virus emerges in a minority of patients and only in the late stage of disease, suggesting that early negative selection against HIV-1-CXCR4 interaction may exist. Here, we report that the HIV-1 Tat protein, which is secreted from virus-infected cells, is a CXCR4-specific antagonist. Soluble Tat selectively inhibited the entry and replication of X4, but not R5, virus in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We propose that one functional consequence of secreted Tat is to select against X4 viruses, thereby influencing the early in vivo course of HIV-1 disease.

Identification of a gammaherpesvirus selective chemokine binding protein that inhibits chemokine action.

Chemokines are involved in recruitment and activation of hematopoietic cells at sites of infection and inflammation. The M3 gene of gammaHV68, a gamma-2 herpesvirus that infects and establishes a lifelong latent infection and chronic vasculitis in mice, encodes an abundant secreted protein during productive infection. The M3 gene is located in a region of the genome that is transcribed during latency. We report here that the M3 protein is a high-affinity broad-spectrum chemokine scavenger. The M3 protein bound the CC chemokines human regulated upon activation of normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), murine macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha (MIP-1alpha), and murine monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), as well as the human CXC chemokine interleukin-8, the murine C chemokine lymphotactin, and the murine CX(3)C chemokine fractalkine with high affinity (K(d) = 1. 6 to 18.7 nM). M3 protein chemokine binding was selective, since the protein did not bind seven other CXC chemokines (K(d) > 1 microM). Furthermore, the M3 protein abolished calcium signaling in response to murine MIP-1alpha and murine MCP-1 and not to murine KC or human stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), consistent with the binding data. The M3 protein was also capable of blocking the function of human CC and CXC chemokines, indicating the potential for therapeutic applications. Since the M3 protein lacks homology to known chemokines, chemokine receptors, or chemokine binding proteins, these studies suggest a novel herpesvirus mechanism of immune evasion.

CCR8 on human thymocytes functions as a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 coreceptor.

To determine whether human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coreceptors besides CXCR4 and CCR5 are involved in HIV-1 infection of the thymus, we focused on CCR8, a receptor for the chemokine I-309, because of its high expression in the thymus. Similar levels of CCR8 mRNA were detected in immature and mature primary human thymocytes. Consistent with this, [(125)I]I-309 was shown to bind specifically and with similar affinity to the surface of immature and mature human thymocytes. Fusion of human thymocytes with cells expressing HIV-1 X4 or X4R5 envelope glycoprotein was inhibited by I-309 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, I-309 partially inhibited productive infection of human thymocytes by X4, R5, and X4R5 HIV-1 strains. Our data provide the first evidence that CCR8 functions as an HIV-1 coreceptor on primary human cells and suggest that CCR8 may contribute to HIV-1-induced thymic pathogenesis.

Characterization of the signal transduction pathway activated in human monocytes and dendritic cells by MPIF-1, a specific ligand for CC chemokine receptor 1.

The receptor specificity and signal transduction pathway has been identified and characterized for a truncated form of myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor-1 (MPIF-1(24-99)). MPIF-1 binds specifically to sites, in particular CCR1, shared with macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) on the surface of human monocytes and dendritic cells, as inferred by its ability to compete for [125I]MIP-1alpha, but not for [125I]MIP-1beta or [125I]monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1) binding to intact cells. Based on calcium flux, MPIF-1 is an agonist on CCR1-transfected HEK-293 cells, monocytes, and dendritic cells, but not on CCR5-, CCR8-, or CX3CR1-transfected cells. The inhibitory effect of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio-triphosphate) (GTP-gammaS) or pertussis toxin pretreatment on MPIF-1 binding and calcium mobilization, respectively, indicates the involvement of G proteins in the interaction of MPIF-1 and its receptor(s). The increase in intracellular free calcium concentration following MPIF-1 treatment is mainly due to the influx of calcium from an extracellular pool. However, a portion of the intracellular free calcium concentration is derived from a phospholipase C inhibitor-sensitive intracellular pool. MPIF-1 induces a rapid dose-dependent release of [3H]arachidonic acid from monocytes that is dependent on extracellular calcium and is blocked by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors. Furthermore, PLA2 activation is shown to be necessary for filamentous actin formation in monocytes. Thus, the MPIF-1 signal transduction pathway appears to include binding to CCR1; transduction by G proteins; effector function by phospholipase C, protein kinase C, calcium flux, and PLA2; and cytoskeletal remodeling.

Identification of CX3CR1. A chemotactic receptor for the human CX3C chemokine fractalkine and a fusion coreceptor for HIV-1.

Fractalkine is a multimodular human leukocyte chemoattractant protein and a member of the chemokine superfamily. Unlike other human chemokines, the chemokine domain of fractalkine has three amino acids between two conserved cysteines, referred to as the CX3C motif. Both plasma membrane-associated and shed forms of fractalkine have been identified. Here, we show that the recombinant 76-amino acid chemokine domain of fractalkine is a potent and highly specific chemotactic agonist at a human orphan receptor previously named V28 or alternatively CMKBRL1 (chemokine beta receptor-like 1), which was shown previously to be expressed in neutrophils, monocytes, T lymphocytes, and several solid organs, including brain. CMKBRL1/V28 also functioned with CD4 as a coreceptor for the envelope protein from a primary isolate of HIV-1 in a cell-cell fusion assay, and fusion was potently and specifically inhibited by fractalkine. Thus CMKBRL1/V28 is a specific receptor for fractalkine, and we propose to rename it CX3CR1 (CX3C chemokine receptor 1), according to an accepted nomenclature system.

CXCR4 and CCR5 on human thymocytes: biological function and role in HIV-1 infection.

Thymocyte infection with HIV-1 is associated with thymic involution and impaired thymopoiesis, particularly in pediatric patients. To define mechanisms of thymocyte infection, we examined human thymocytes for expression and function of CXCR4 and CCR5, the major cell entry coreceptors for T cell line-tropic (T-tropic) and macrophage-tropic (M-tropic) strains of HIV-1, respectively. CXCR4 was detected on the surface of all thymocytes. CXCR4 expression on mature, high level TCR thymocytes was similar to that on peripheral blood T cells, but was much lower than that on immature thymocytes, including CD34+ thymic progenitors. Consistent with this, stroma-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) induced calcium flux primarily in immature thymocytes, with CD34+ progenitors giving the strongest response. In addition, SDF-1 mRNA was detected in thymic-derived stromal cells, and SDF-1 induced chemotaxis of thymocytes, suggesting that CXCR4 may play a role in thymocyte migration. Infection of immature thymocytes by the T-tropic HIV-1 strain LAI was 10-fold more efficient than that in mature thymocytes, consistent with their relative CXCR4 surface expression. Anti-CXCR4 antiserum or SDF-1 blocked fusion of thymocytes with cells expressing the LAI envelope. In contrast to CXCR4, CCR5 was detected at low levels on thymocytes, and CCR5 agonists did not induce calcium flux or chemotaxis in thymocytes. However, CD4+ mature thymocytes were productively infected with the CCR5-tropic strain Ba-L, and this infection was specifically inhibited with the CCR5 agonist, macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta. Our data provide strong evidence that CXCR4 and CCR5 function as coreceptors for HIV-1 infection of human thymocytes.

CC chemokine receptors 1 and 3 are differentially regulated by IL-5 during maturation of eosinophilic HL-60 cells.

CC chemokine receptors 1 and 3 (CCR1 and CCR3) are expressed by eosinophils; however, factors regulating their expression and function have not previously been defined. Here we analyze chemokine receptor expression and function during eosinophil differentiation, using the eosinophilic cell line HL-60 clone 15 as a model system. RNA for CCR1, -3, -4, and -5 was not detectable in the parental cells, and the cells did not specifically bind CC chemokines. Cells treated with butyric acid acquired eosinophil characteristics; expressed mRNA for CCR1 and CCR3, but not for CCR4 or CCR5; acquired specific binding sites for macrophage-inflammatory protein-1alpha and eotaxin (the selective ligands for CCR1 and CCR3, respectively); and exhibited specific calcium flux and chemotaxis responses to macrophage-inflammatory protein-1alpha, eotaxin, and other known CCR1 and CCR3 agonists. CCR3 was expressed later and at lower levels than CCR1 and could be further induced by IL-5, whereas IL-5 had little or no effect on CCR1 expression. Consistent with the HIV-1 coreceptor activity of CCR3, HL-60 clone 15 cells induced with butyric acid and IL-5 fused with HeLa cells expressing CCR3-tropic HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins, and fusion was blocked specifically by eotaxin or an anti-CCR3 mAb. These data suggest that CCR1 and CCR3 are markers of late eosinophil differentiation that are differentially regulated by IL-5 in this model.

Gene organization and promoter function for CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5).

CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) functions physiologically as a receptor for the leukocyte chemoattractants macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta, and RANTES, and functions pathologically as a key cell entry coreceptor for HIV-1. The factors that regulate CCR5 expression may be useful therapeutic targets for HIV-1 infection. To identify nuclear regulatory factors, we have located and functionally characterized the CCR5 gene promoter. The gene consists of two exons separated by a 1.9-kb intron. Exon 1 contains 43 bp of the 5'-untranslated region; exon 2 contains 11 bp of the 5'-untranslated region and the complete open reading frame. Primer extension analysis identified two adjacent transcriptional start points (tsp) that map to the first 2 bp found in the longest known CCR5 cDNA sequence. A TATA box is present 31 bp upstream from the first tsp. CCR5 mRNA was detected constitutively in both primary human myeloid and lymphoid cells by Northern blot hybridization. Consistent with this, transcription of a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene was constitutively activated in both transiently transfected myeloid and lymphoid cell lines by the 80-bp gene fragment located immediately upstream of the tsp. Deletion analysis located a strong silencer element between nucleotides -244 and -80, and a strong enhancer element between -486 and -244. These results suggest that the gene region between -486 and -1 may regulate the expression of CCR5 in monocyte/macrophages and T lymphocytes.

Gene cloning, RNA distribution, and functional expression of mCX3CR1, a mouse chemotactic receptor for the CX3C chemokine fractalkine.

Human fractalkine and its apparent murine counterpart neurotactin are the only members identified so far of the CX3C subfamily of chemokines. Recently, a human fractalkine receptor was identified and named CX3CR1. Here we have identified a mouse counterpart of this receptor. The receptor was identified by analysis of a mouse genomic clone named PC2 isolated by homology hybridization using CX3CR1 as probe. Clone PC2 has a 354-codon open reading frame that has 83% amino acid identity to CX3CR1. PC2 RNA was abundant in brain and lung and comparatively less abundant in lung, liver, kidney, testis, and peripheral blood leukocytes, a pattern similar to that found for CX3CR1. The recombinant fractalkine, but no other chemokines tested, induced chemotaxis and transient increases in [Ca2+]i in HEK 293 cells transfected with PC2, whereas untransfected cells did not respond. Furthermore, fractalkine bound specifically to the transfected cells (Kd=4 nM). Thus, fractalkine is a functional ligand for this receptor and we propose to name it mCX3CR1 for murine CX3C chemokine receptor 1.

Identification of CCR8: a human monocyte and thymus receptor for the CC chemokine I-309.

The human CC chemokine I-309 is a potent monocyte chemoattractant and inhibits apoptosis in thymic cell lines. Here, we identify a specific human I-309 receptor, and name it CCR8 according to an accepted nomenclature system. The receptor has seven predicted transmembrane domains, is expressed constitutively in monocytes and thymus, and is encoded by a previously reported gene of previously unknown function named, alternatively, CY6, TER1, and CKR-L1. After transfection with the CY6 open reading frame, a mouse pre-B cell line exhibited calcium flux and chemotaxis in response to I-309 (EC50 = 2 nM for each), whereas 20 other chemokines were inactive. Signaling was sensitive to pertussis toxin, suggesting coupling to a Gi-type G protein. These properties parallel those of endogenous I-309 receptors expressed in an HL-60 clone 15 cell line model. The apparent monogamous relationship between I-309 and CCR8 is unusual among known CC chemokines and known CC chemokine receptors. CCR8 may regulate monocyte chemotaxis and thymic cell line apoptosis.

Impaired host defense, hematopoiesis, granulomatous inflammation and type 1-type 2 cytokine balance in mice lacking CC chemokine receptor 1.

CC chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) is expressed in neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and eosinophils, and binds the leukocyte chemoattractant and hematopoiesis regulator macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, as well as several related CC chemokines. Four other CCR subtypes are known; their leukocyte and chemokine specificities overlap with, but are not identical to, CCR1, suggesting that CCR1 has both redundant and specific biologic roles. To test this, we have developed CCR1-deficient mice (-/-) by targeted gene disruption. Although the distribution of mature leukocytes was normal, steady state and induced trafficking and proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells were disordered in -/- mice. Moreover, mature neutrophils from -/- mice failed to chemotax in vitro and failed to mobilize into peripheral blood in vivo in response to MIP-1alpha. Consistent with this, -/- mice had accelerated mortality when challenged with Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus controlled principally by neutrophils. To test the role of CCR1 in granuloma formation, we injected Schistosoma mansoni eggs intravenously, and observed a 40% reduction in the size of lung granulomas in -/- mice compared to +/+ littermates. This was associated with increased interferon-gamma and decreased interleukin-4 production in -/- versus +/+ lung lymph node cells stimulated with egg-specific antigen, suggesting that CCR1 influences the inflammatory response not only through direct effects on leukocyte chemotaxis, but also through effects on the type 1-type 2 cytokine balance. Thus CCR1 has nonredundant functions in hematopoiesis, host defense, and inflammation.

C3a and C5a are chemotaxins for human mast cells and act through distinct receptors via a pertussis toxin-sensitive signal transduction pathway.

Mast cells are known to accumulate at sites of inflammation, however, the chemotaxins involved are undefined. Since most natural leukocyte secretagogues also induce cell migration, and since the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a are mast cell secretagogues, we hypothesized that both C3a and C5a are also mast cell chemotaxins. Here we report that C3a and C5a are, in fact, potent chemotaxins for the human mast cell line HMC-1. The optimal concentrations, half-maximal effective concentrations (a measure of agonist potency) and the efficacy (response at the optimal concentration) compared with medium control were, for C3a: 10 nM, 0.5 nM, and 256%, respectively; for C5a: 1 nM, 10 pM and 145%. Chemotaxis of HMC-1 cells to both C3a and C5a was blocked by pertussis toxin, suggesting that Gi-coupled receptors are involved in signal transduction. C3a and C5a also induced transient pertussis toxin-inhibitable increases in [Ca2+]i (ED50 = 1 nM for both) that could be homologously but not heterologously desensitized, suggesting that the receptors for C3a and C5a are distinct. These results make C3a the most effective mast cell chemotaxin identified to date. The chemotactic potency described here for C3a is also 100- to 1000-fold greater than for all of its previously described cellular actions. Direct chemoattraction of mast cells by C3a and C5a may help explain the rapid accumulation of mast cells at sites of inflammation.

Cloning and functional expression of CC CKR5, a human monocyte CC chemokine receptor selective for MIP-1(alpha), MIP-1(beta), and RANTES.

We have cloned a human cDNA for a novel CC chemokine receptor (CC CKR) designated CC CKR5 that has 48-75% amino acid identity to other CC CKRs. CC CKR5 mRNA was detected constitutively in primary adherent monocytes but not in primary neutrophils or eosinophils. Macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), MIP-1beta, and RANTES were all potent agonists for CC CKR5 (EC50 = 3-30 nM) when calcium flux was measured in transfected HEK 293 cells, yet the apparent binding affinities of the corresponding iodinated chemokines to intact cells expressing the receptor were low (IC50 approximately 100 nM). The calcium flux responses were completely blocked by treatment of transfected cells with pertussis toxin. These data suggest that CC CKR5 is a G(i)-coupled receptor that may mediate monocyte responses to MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES.

Enhanced expression of the eosinophil-derived neurotoxin ribonuclease (RNS2) gene requires interaction between the promoter and intron.

The eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN/RNS2) is a member of the mammalian ribonuclease gene family and is one of four proteins found in the large specific granules of human eosinophilic leukocytes. The gene encoding EDN consists of two exons, including a noncoding exon 1, separated by a single intron from the coding sequence in exon 2. We have identified a functional promoter of the EDN gene and shown that optimal expression depends on interaction between the promoter and one or more sequence elements found in the single intron. Cells of the clone 15 eosinophilic variant of the human promyelocytic HL-60 cell line were transfected with constructs that included the promoter region of the EDN gene alone, promoter with exon 1, and promoter with both exon 1 and the intron positioned 5' to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene (constructs referred to as PrCAT, PrExCAT, and PrExIn CAT, respectively). Although reporter gene activity from either PrCAT or PrExCAT was only 2-3 fold higher than baseline (CAT alone), inclusion of the single intron (PrExInCAT) resulted in a 28-fold increase in reporter gene activity in uninduced clone 15 cells, and an 80-fold in activity when clone 15 cells were induced to differentiate toward eosinophils with butyric acid. The intron-mediated enhancer activity was reproduced in other human hematopoietic cell lines (K562, Jurkat, U937, and HL-60), but was not found in human 293 kidney cells, suggesting that the function of the enhancer element(s) may be tissue-specific. A significant portion of the observed enhancer activity resides in the first 60 base pairs the the intron, which includes consensus binding sites for both AP-1, and NF-ATp transcription factors, and a 15-base pair segment that is identical to a sequence found in the promoter of the gene encoding the neutrophil granule protein, lactoferrin. The noncoding exon 1/single intron/coding exon 2 genomic structure is a common feature among the mammalian ribonucleases; this finding suggests the possibility of a conserved mechanism of regulation in this gene family.

Molecular cloning of human eotaxin, an eosinophil-selective CC chemokine, and identification of a specific eosinophil eotaxin receptor, CC chemokine receptor 3.

The CC chemokine eotaxin is a selective chemoattractant for guinea pig eosinophils, first purified from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in a guinea pig model of allergic airway inflammation. We have now isolated the gene and cDNA for a human counterpart of eotaxin. The gene maps to chromosome 17 and is expressed constitutively at high levels in small intestine and colon, and at lower levels in various other tissues. The deduced mature protein sequence is 66% identical to human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and 60% identical to guinea pig eotaxin. Recombinant human eotaxin produced in insect cells induced a calcium flux response in normal human eosinophils, but not in neutrophils or monocytes. The response could not be desensitized by pretreatment of eosinophils with other CC chemokines, suggesting a unique receptor. In this regard, we show that human eotaxin is a potent and highly specific agonist for CC chemokine receptor 3, a G protein-coupled receptor selectively expressed in human eosinophils. Thus eotaxin and CC chemokine receptor 3 may be host factors highly specialized for eosinophil recruitment in inflammation, and may be good targets for the development of selective drugs for inflammatory diseases where eosinophils contribute to pathogenesis, such as asthma.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 is a functional ligand for CC chemokine receptors 1 and 2B.

The CC chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3) activates human monocytes, lymphocytes, basophils, and eosinophils. MCP-3 has been reported to induce [Ca2+]i changes in cells transfected with the monocyte-selective MCP-1 receptor 2B (CC CKR2B) and competes for 125I-MCP-1 binding on CC CKR2B, suggesting that it may mediate monocyte responses to MCP-3. However, we now show that MCP-3 is a ligand and potent agonist for the macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha)/regulated on activation, normal T expressed, and secreted protein (RANTES) receptor CC CKR1 (rank order for [Ca2+]i changes = MIP-1 alpha > MCP-3 > RANTES), which is expressed in monocytes > neutrophils > eosinophils. 125I-MCP-3 bound directly to CC CKR1 and CC CKR2B (Ki = 8 and 7 nM, respectively). Binding to CC CKR1 was competed by all CC chemokines tested except MCP-1. In contrast, binding to CC CKR2B was competed only by MCP-3 and MCP-1. Both MCP-1 and MCP-3 were equipotent agonists (EC50 = 10 nM for [Ca2+]i changes). Thus, MCP-3 is a functional ligand for both CC CKR1 and CC CKR2B, which otherwise have distinct selectivities for CC chemokines. These data suggest that monocyte responses to MCP-3 could be mediated by both CC CKR2B and CC CKR1, whereas eosinophil responses to MCP-3 could be mediated by CC CKR1.