Anti-HER2 scFv-CCL19-IL7 recombinant protein inhibited gastric tumor growth in vivo.

HER-2 targeted therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and CAR-T cell therapy have been applied in the treatment of various of cancers. However, the anti-HER2 CAR-T cell therapy are limited by its expensive production procedure and fatal side effects such as cytokine storm or "On target, off tumor". The application of anti-HER2 mAbs to the soild tumor are also plagued by the patients resistant with different mechanisms. Thus, the recombinant protein technology can be presented as an attractive methods in advantage its less toxic and lower cost. In this study, we produced a HER-2-targeting recombinant protein, which is the fusion of the anti-HER-2 single chain fragment variable domain, CCL19 and IL7 (HCI fusion protein). Our results showed that the recombinant protein can induce the specific lysis effects of immune cells on HER-2-positive gastric tumor cells and can suppress gastric tumor growth in a xenograft model by chemotactic autoimmune cell infiltration into tumor tissues and activated T cells. Taken together, our results revealed that the HCI fusion protein can be applied as a subsequent clinical drug in treating HER-2 positive gastric tumors.

Cytomegalovirus Latency Exacerbated Small-for-size Liver Graft Injury Through Activation of CCL19/CCR7 in Hepatic Stellate Cells.

BACKGROUND: The interplay between cytomegalovirus (CMV) latency and graft malfunction after living donor liver transplantation remains poorly defined because of the complexity of clinical confounding factors. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of CMV latency on small-for-size graft injury and to get further insight into the pathogenic role of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in this process. METHODS: Rat orthotopic liver transplantation with small-for-size grafts was performed in a CMV latent model developed in immunocompetent Sprague Dawley rats using Priscott strain. Posttransplant graft injury including hepatocyte damage, stellate cell activation, and fibrogenesis was evaluated. Differential gene expression of HSCs in response to CMV latency was screened by cDNA microarray. Clinical validation was further conducted in human biopsies. RESULTS: CMV latency aggravated hepatocyte apoptosis/necrosis in the early phase and enhanced HSC expansion and graft fibrosis during the middle-late phase in small-for-size liver grafts of the rat model. cDNA microarray mining revealed CCL19/CCR7 as one of the most noteworthy pathways bridging HSC activation and liver graft injury in the presence of CMV latency. Together with CCL19 upregulation, coherent overexpression of CCR7 in accumulated HSCs was confirmed in both rat and human CMV latent recipients. Moreover, addition of CCL19 in vitro promoted HSC migration by increasing the level of matrix metalloproteinase-2. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated that CMV latency aggravated early/late phase liver graft damage and fibrogenesis via CCL19/CCR7/HSCs axis. Blockade of CMV latency-related stellate cell activation may shed light on the strategy of graft protection clinically.

CCL19 enhances CD8+ T-cell responses and accelerates HBV clearance.

BACKGROUND: Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19) is a leukocyte chemoattractant that plays a crucial role in cell trafficking and leukocyte activation. Dysfunctional CD8+ T cells play a crucial role in persistent HBV infection. However, whether HBV can be cleared by CCL19-activated immunity remains unclear. METHODS: We assessed the effects of CCL19 on the activation of PBMCs in patients with HBV infection. We also examined how CCL19 influences HBV clearance and modulates HBV-responsive T cells in a mouse model of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In addition, C-C chemokine-receptor type 7 (CCR7) knockdown mice were used to elucidate the underlying mechanism of CCL19/CCR7 axis-induced immune activation. RESULTS: From in vitro experiments, we found that CCL19 enhanced the frequencies of Ag-responsive IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells from patients by approximately twofold, while CCR7 knockdown (LV-shCCR7) and LY294002 partially suppressed IFN-γ secretion. In mice, CCL19 overexpression led to rapid clearance of intrahepatic HBV likely through increased intrahepatic CD8+ T-cell proportion, decreased frequency of PD-1+ CD8+ T cells in blood and compromised suppression of hepatic APCs, with lymphocytes producing a significantly high level of Ag-responsive TNF-α and IFN-γ from CD8+ T cells. In both CCL19 over expressing and CCR7 knockdown (AAV-shCCR7) CHB mice, the frequency of CD8+ T-cell activation-induced cell death (AICD) increased, and a high level of Ag-responsive TNF-α and low levels of CD8+ regulatory T (Treg) cells were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Findings in this study provide insights into how CCL19/CCR7 axis modulates the host immune system, which may promote the development of immunotherapeutic strategies for HBV treatment by overcoming T-cell tolerance.

Live-Cell Microscopy Reveals That Human T Cells Primarily Respond Chemokinetically Within a CCL19 Gradient That Induces Chemotaxis in Dendritic Cells.

The ability to study migratory behavior of immune cells is crucial to understanding the dynamic control of the immune system. Migration induced by chemokines is often assumed to be directional (chemotaxis), yet commonly used end-point migration assays are confounded by detecting increased cell migration that lacks directionality (chemokinesis). To distinguish between chemotaxis and chemokinesis we used the classic "under-agarose assay" in combination with video-microscopy to monitor migration of CCR7+ human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and T cells in response to a concentration gradient of CCL19. Formation of the gradients was visualized with a fluorescent marker and lasted several hours. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells migrated chemotactically towards the CCL19 gradient. In contrast, T cells exhibited a biased random walk that was largely driven by increased exploratory chemokinesis towards CCL19. This dominance of chemokinesis over chemotaxis in T cells is consistent with CCR7 ligation optimizing T cell scanning of antigen-presenting cells in lymphoid tissues.

Limitations of dual-fluorescent HIV reporter viruses in a model of pre-activation latency.

INTRODUCTION: HIV latency can be established in vitro following direct infection of a resting CD4+ T cell (pre-activation latency) or infection of an activated CD4+ T cell which then returns to a resting state (post-activation latency). We modified a previously published dual-fluorescent reporter virus seeking to track the establishment and reactivation of pre-activation latency in primary CD4+ T cells. METHODS: A previously published dual-fluorescent reporter virus was modified so that expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) was under control of the elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1α) promoter to detect latent infection, and E2 crimson (E2CRM) was under control of the nef promoter to detect productive infection. NL4.3 that expressed GFP in place of nef was used as a positive control. We infected the Jurkat T-cell line and primary CD4+ T cells that were either unstimulated or stimulated with either the chemokine CCL19 or phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)/IL-2 and quantified the expression of both fluorescent proteins by flow cytometry. The study was carried out over a period of two years from September 2016 to October 2018. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Expression of both fluorophores was detected following infection of the Jurkat T-cell line while only low levels of the latent reporter were observed following infection of primary CD4+ T cells. In unstimulated and CCL19-treated CD4+ T cells, expression of the GFP latent reporter, increased after further activation of the cells with PHA/phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that the EF1α promoter has poor constitutive expression in resting CD4+ T cells. Therefore, dual-fluorescent reporter viruses with the EF1α promoter may underestimate the frequency of latent infection in resting CD4+ T cells.

Effects of CCR7 and Src on invasion and migration of salivary gland tumor.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether Src activity is regulated by the binding of chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) and CCL19 in salivary gland tumor. We also aim to elucidate whether Src is capable of regulating invasion and migration of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PCI-37B cells were first treated with 20 µM PP2 for 30 min or 10 µg/mL CCR7mAb for 4 h, respectively, followed by 200 ng/mL CCL19 induction for 5 min. Western blot was conducted to detect protein levels of p-Src, p-Pyk2 and p-Paxillin. Transwell assay was performed to access migratory and invasive abilities of PCI-37B cells. Immunofluorescence was finally conducted to observe changes in cell cytoskeleton. RESULTS: CCL19 induction in PCI-37B cells upregulated protein levels of p-Src, p-Pyk2 and p-Paxillin, which were downregulated by PP2 treatment. Src activation induced by CCL19 enhanced invasive and migratory abilities of PCI-37B cells. However, PP2 treatment reversed invasive and migratory abilities even after CCL19 induction. CCL19-induced PCI-37B cells were shaped as irregular polygon and closely connected. Large flak pseudopods were observed and invasive pseudopodia connections markedly increased after CCL19 induction. F-actin body was found in pseudopodia. PP2 treatment resulted in fewer pseudopodia and regularly arranged actin filaments. CONCLUSIONS: Src activation is regulated by binding of CCR7 and CCL19 in salivary gland tumor. Activated Src alters cell adhesion ability and cytoskeleton by regulating Pyk2 and Paxillin, thus elevating invasive and migratory abilities of HNSCC cells.

Nano-scale microfluidics to study 3D chemotaxis at the single cell level.

Directed migration of cells relies on their ability to sense directional guidance cues and to interact with pericellular structures in order to transduce contractile cytoskeletal- into mechanical forces. These biomechanical processes depend highly on microenvironmental factors such as exposure to 2D surfaces or 3D matrices. In vivo, the majority of cells are exposed to 3D environments. Data on 3D cell migration are mostly derived from intravital microscopy or collagen-based in vitro assays. Both approaches offer only limited controllability of experimental conditions. Here, we developed an automated microfluidic system that allows positioning of cells in 3D microenvironments containing highly controlled diffusion-based chemokine gradients. Tracking migration in such gradients was feasible in real time at the single cell level. Moreover, the setup allowed on-chip immunocytochemistry and thus linking of functional with phenotypical properties in individual cells. Spatially defined retrieval of cells from the device allows down-stream off-chip analysis. Using dendritic cells as a model, our setup specifically allowed us for the first time to quantitate key migration characteristics of cells exposed to identical gradients of the chemokine CCL19 yet placed on 2D vs in 3D environments. Migration properties between 2D and 3D migration were distinct. Morphological features of cells migrating in an in vitro 3D environment were similar to those of cells migrating in animal tissues, but different from cells migrating on a surface. Our system thus offers a highly controllable in vitro-mimic of a 3D environment that cells traffic in vivo.

The CCR5-antagonist Maraviroc reverses HIV-1 latency in vitro alone or in combination with the PKC-agonist Bryostatin-1.

A potential strategy to cure HIV-1 infection is to use latency reversing agents (LRAs) to eliminate latent reservoirs established in resting CD4+ T (rCD4+) cells. As no drug has been shown to be completely effective, finding new drugs and combinations are of increasing importance. We studied the effect of Maraviroc (MVC), a CCR5 antagonist that activates NF-κB, on HIV-1 replication from latency. HIV-1-latency models based on CCL19 or IL7 treatment, before HIV-1 infection were used. Latently infected primary rCD4+ or central memory T cells were stimulated with MVC alone or in combination with Bryostatin-1, a PKC agonist known to reverse HIV-1 latency. MVC 5 µM and 0.31 µM were chosen for further studies although other concentrations of MVC also increased HIV-1 replication. MVC was as efficient as Bryostatin-1 in reactivating X4 and R5-tropic HIV-1. However, the combination of MVC and Bryostatin-1 was antagonistic, probably because Bryostatin-1 reduced CCR5 expression levels. Although HIV-1 reactivation had the same tendency in both latency models, statistical significance was only achieved in IL7-treated cells. These data suggest that MVC should be regarded as a new LRA with potency similar as Bryostatin-1. Further studies are required to describe the synergistic effect of MVC with other LRAs.

A microfluidic device for measuring cell migration towards substrate-bound and soluble chemokine gradients.

Cellular locomotion is a central hallmark of eukaryotic life. It is governed by cell-extrinsic molecular factors, which can either emerge in the soluble phase or as immobilized, often adhesive ligands. To encode for direction, every cue must be present as a spatial or temporal gradient. Here, we developed a microfluidic chamber that allows measurement of cell migration in combined response to surface immobilized and soluble molecular gradients. As a proof of principle we study the response of dendritic cells to their major guidance cues, chemokines. The majority of data on chemokine gradient sensing is based on in vitro studies employing soluble gradients. Despite evidence suggesting that in vivo chemokines are often immobilized to sugar residues, limited information is available how cells respond to immobilized chemokines. We tracked migration of dendritic cells towards immobilized gradients of the chemokine CCL21 and varying superimposed soluble gradients of CCL19. Differential migratory patterns illustrate the potential of our setup to quantitatively study the competitive response to both types of gradients. Beyond chemokines our approach is broadly applicable to alternative systems of chemo- and haptotaxis such as cells migrating along gradients of adhesion receptor ligands vs. any soluble cue.

Class 3 semaphorins induce F-actin reorganization in human dendritic cells: Role in cell migration.

Class 3 semaphorins (Semas) are soluble proteins that are well recognized for their role in guiding axonal migration during neuronal development. In the immune system, Sema3A has been shown to influence murine dendritic cell (DC) migration by signaling through a neuropilin (NRP)-1/plexin-A1 coreceptor axis. Potential roles for class 3 Semas in human DCs have yet to be described. We tested the hypothesis that Sema3A, -3C, and -3F, each with a unique NRP-1 and/or NRP-2 binding specificity, influence human DC migration. In this report, we find that although NRP-1 and NRP-2 are expressed in human immature DCs (imDCs), NRP-2 expression increases as cells mature further, whereas expression of NRP-1 declines dramatically. Elevated levels of RNA encoding plexin-A1 and -A3 are present in both imDCs and mature DC (mDCs), supporting the relevance of Sema/NRP/plexin signaling pathways in these cells. Sema3A, -3C, and -3F bind to human DCs, with Sema3F binding predominantly through NRP-2. The binding of these Semas leads to reorganization of actin filaments at the plasma membrane and increased transwell migration in the absence or presence of chemokine CCL19. Microfluidic chamber assays failed to demonstrate consistent changes in speed of Sema3C-treated DCs, suggesting increased cell deformability as a possible explanation for enhanced transwell migration. Although monocytes express RNA encoding Sema3A, -3C, and -3F, only RNA encoding Sema3C increases robustly during DC differentiation. These data suggest that Sema3A, -3C, and -3F, likely with coreceptors NRP-1, NRP-2, and plexin-A1 and/or -A3, promote migration and possibly other activities of human DCs during innate and adaptive immune responses.

Understanding Factors That Modulate the Establishment of HIV Latency in Resting CD4+ T-Cells In Vitro.

Developing robust in vitro models of HIV latency is needed to better understand how latency is established, maintained and reversed. In this study, we examined the effects of donor variability, HIV titre and co-receptor usage on establishing HIV latency in vitro using two models of HIV latency. Using the CCL19 model of HIV latency, we found that in up to 50% of donors, CCL19 enhanced latent infection of resting CD4+ T-cells by CXCR4-tropic HIV in the presence of low dose IL-2. Increasing the infectious titre of CXCR4-tropic HIV increased both productive and latent infection of resting CD4+ T-cells. In a different model where myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) were co-cultured with resting CD4+ T-cells, we observed a higher frequency of latently infected cells in vitro than CCL19-treated or unstimulated CD4+ T-cells in the presence of low dose IL-2. In the DC-T-cell model, latency was established with both CCR5- and CXCR4-tropic virus but higher titres of CCR5-tropic virus was required in most donors. The establishment of latency in vitro through direct infection of resting CD4+ T-cells is significantly enhanced by CCL19 and mDC, but the efficiency is dependent on virus titre, co-receptor usage and there is significant donor variability.

Autocrine CCL19 blocks dendritic cell migration toward weak gradients of CCL21.

BACKGROUND AIMS: Maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) induces their homing from peripheral to lymphatic tissues guided by CCL21. However, in vitro matured human monocyte-derived DC cancer vaccines injected intradermally migrate poorly to lymph nodes (LNs). In vitro maturation protocols generate DCs with high (type 1 DCs) or low (prostaglandin E2 [PGE2]-DCs) autocrine CCL19 levels, which may potentially interfere with LN homing of DCs. METHODS: Employing a three-dimensional (3D) chemotaxis assay, chemokine competition/desensitization studies and short interfering RNA (siRNA) against CCL19, we analyzed the effect of autocrine CCL19 on in vitro migration of human DCs toward CCL21. RESULTS: Using human monocyte-derived DCs in a 3D chemotaxis assay, we are the first to demonstrate that CCL19 more potently induces directed migration of human DCs compared with CCL21. When comparing migration of type 1 DCs and PGE2-DCs, migration of type 1 DCs was strikingly impaired compared with PGE2-DCs, but only toward low concentrations of CCL21. When type 1 DCs were cultured overnight in fresh culture medium (reducing autocrine CCL19 levels), a rescuing effect was observed on migration toward low concentrations of CCL21 in a 3D chemotaxis assay. Finally pre-incubation with CCL19 negatively affected PGE2-DC migration, whereas silencing of CCL19 by siRNA improved type 1 DC migration. Importantly, in both cases, the effect was observed only at low concentrations of CCL21. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that autocrine CCL19 negatively affects DC migratory potential toward CCL21, the potency difference between CCL19 and CCL21 being the underlying cause. CCL19 secretion level of in vitro matured DCs is an important indicator of DC vaccine homing potential.

HIV integration and the establishment of latency in CCL19-treated resting CD4(+) T cells require activation of NF-κB.

BACKGROUND: Eradication of HIV cannot be achieved with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) because of the persistence of long-lived latently infected resting memory CD4(+) T cells. We previously reported that HIV latency could be established in resting CD4(+) T cells in the presence of the chemokine CCL19. To define how CCL19 facilitated the establishment of latent HIV infection, the role of chemokine receptor signalling was explored. RESULTS: In resting CD4(+) T cells, CCL19 induced phosphorylation of RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38. Inhibition of the phosphoinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and Ras/Raf/Mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK)/ERK signalling pathways inhibited HIV integration, without significant reduction in HIV nuclear entry (measured by Alu-LTR and 2-LTR circle qPCR respectively). Inhibiting activation of MEK1/ERK1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), activating protein-1 (AP-1) and NF-κB, but not p38, also inhibited HIV integration. We also show that HIV integrases interact with Pin1 in CCL19-treated CD4(+) T cells and inhibition of JNK markedly reduced this interaction, suggesting that CCL19 treatment provided sufficient signals to protect HIV integrase from degradation via the proteasome pathway. Infection of CCL19-treated resting CD4(+) T cells with mutant strains of HIV, lacking NF-κB binding sites in the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) compared to infection with wild type virus, led to a significant reduction in integration by up to 40-fold (range 1-115.4, p = 0.03). This was in contrast to only a modest reduction of 5-fold (range 1.7-11, p > 0.05) in fully activated CD4(+) T cells infected with the same mutants. Finally, we demonstrated significant differences in integration sites following HIV infection of unactivated, CCL19-treated, and fully activated CD4(+) T cells. CONCLUSIONS: HIV integration in CCL19-treated resting CD4(+) T cells depends on NF-κB signalling and increases the stability of HIV integrase, which allow subsequent integration and establishment of latency. These findings have implications for strategies needed to prevent the establishment, and potentially reverse, latent infection.

Dengue virus infection induces interferon-lambda1 to facilitate cell migration.

A marked increase in the rate of dengue virus (DENV) infection has resulted in more than 212 deaths in Taiwan since the beginning of 2015, mostly from fatal outcomes such as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. The pathogenic mechanisms of these fatal manifestations are poorly understood. Cytokines induce an overwhelming immune reaction and thus have crucial roles. Interferon-lambda (IFN-λ), a newly identified IFN subtype, has antiviral effects, but its immunologic effects in DENV infection have not been investigated. In the present study, we show that DENV infection preferentially induced production of IFN-λ1 in human dendritic cells (DCs) and human lung epithelial cells. Virus nonstructural 1 (NS1) glycoprotein was responsible for the effect. DENV-induced production of IFN-λ1 was dependent on signaling pathways involving toll-like receptor (TLR)-3, interferon regulation factor (IRF)-3, and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB). Blocking interaction between IFN-λ1 and its receptor IFN-λR1 through siRNA interference reduced DENV-induced DC migration towards the chemoattractants CCL19 and CCL21, by inhibiting CCR7 expression. Furthermore, IFN-λ1 itself induced CCR7 expression and DC migration. Our study presents the first evidence of the mechanisms and effects of IFN-λ1 induction in DENV-infected DCs and highlights the role of this cytokine in the immunopathogenesis of DENV infection.

Infection by Toxoplasma gondii Induces Amoeboid-Like Migration of Dendritic Cells in a Three-Dimensional Collagen Matrix.

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite of humans and other warm-blooded vertebrates, invades a variety of cell types in the organism, including immune cells. Notably, dendritic cells (DCs) infected by T. gondii acquire a hypermigratory phenotype that potentiates parasite dissemination by a 'Trojan horse' type of mechanism in mice. Previous studies have demonstrated that, shortly after parasite invasion, infected DCs exhibit hypermotility in 2-dimensional confinements in vitro and enhanced transmigration in transwell systems. However, interstitial migration in vivo involves interactions with the extracellular matrix in a 3-dimensional (3D) space. We have developed a collagen matrix-based assay in a 96-well plate format that allows quantitative locomotion analyses of infected DCs in a 3D confinement over time. We report that active invasion of DCs by T. gondii tachyzoites induces enhanced migration of infected DCs in the collagen matrix. Parasites of genotype II induced superior DC migratory distances than type I parasites. Moreover, Toxoplasma-induced hypermigration of DCs was further potentiated in the presence of the CCR7 chemotactic cue CCL19. Blocking antibodies to integrins (CD11a, CD11b, CD18, CD29, CD49b) insignificantly affected migration of infected DCs in the 3D matrix, contrasting with their inhibitory effects on adhesion in 2D assays. Morphological analyses of infected DCs in the matrix were consistent with the acquisition of an amoeboid-like migratory phenotype. Altogether, the present data show that the Toxoplasma-induced hypermigratory phenotype in a 3D matrix is consistent with integrin-independent amoeboid DC migration with maintained responsiveness to chemotactic and chemokinetic cues. The data support the hypothesis that induction of amoeboid hypermigration and chemotaxis/chemokinesis in infected DCs potentiates the dissemination of T. gondii.

Analysis of CCR7 mediated T cell transfectant migration using a microfluidic gradient generator.

T lymphocyte migration is crucial for adaptive immunity. Manipulation of signaling molecules controlling cell migration combined with in-vitro cell migration analysis provides a powerful research approach. Microfluidic devices, which can precisely configure chemoattractant gradients and allow quantitative single cell analysis, have been increasingly applied to cell migration and chemotaxis studies. However, there are a very limited number of published studies involving microfluidic migration analysis of genetically manipulated immune cells. In this study, we describe a simple microfluidic method for quantitative analysis of T cells expressing transfected chemokine receptors and other cell migration signaling probes. Using this method, we demonstrated chemotaxis of Jurkat transfectants expressing wild-type or C-terminus mutated CCR7 within a gradient of chemokine CCL19, and characterized the difference in transfectant migration mediated by wild-type and mutant CCR7. The EGFP-tagged CCR7 allows identification of CCR7-expressing transfectants in cell migration analysis and microscopy assessment of CCR7 dynamics. Collectively, our study demonstrated the effective use of the microfluidic method for studying CCR7 mediated T cell transfectant migration. We envision this developed method will provide a useful platform to functionally test various signaling mechanisms at the cell migration level.

CC motif chemokine ligand 19 suppressed colorectal cancer in vivo accompanied by an increase in IL-12 and IFN-γ.

In this study we investigate the role of CC motif chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) to colorectal cancer (CRC) in vivo. We injected different dose of recombinant mouse CCL19 (rmCCL19) in the tumor site of the model of transplanted tumor. Result shows that rmCCL19 can suppress CRC tumorigenesis and growth in vivo, and it can also prolong overall survival of mice. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay results showed that the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) levels in the tumors and plasma were significantly enhanced after processing with rmCCL19.

Collective cell motility promotes chemotactic prowess and resistance to chemorepulsion.

Collective cell migration is a widespread biological phenomenon, whereby groups of highly coordinated, adherent cells move in a polarized fashion. This migration mode is a hallmark of tissue morphogenesis during development and repair and of solid tumor dissemination. In addition to circulating as solitary cells, lymphoid malignancies can assemble into tissues as multicellular aggregates. Whether malignant lymphocytes are capable of coordinating their motility in the context of chemokine gradients is, however, unknown. Here, we show that, upon exposure to CCL19 or CXCL12 gradients, malignant B and T lymphocytes assemble into clusters that migrate directionally and display a wider chemotactic sensitivity than individual cells. Physical modeling recapitulates cluster motility statistics and shows that intracluster cell cohesion results in noise reduction and enhanced directionality. Quantitative image analysis reveals that cluster migration runs are periodically interrupted by transitory rotation and random phases that favor leader cell turnover. Additionally, internalization of CCR7 in leader cells is accompanied by protrusion retraction, loss of polarity, and the ensuing replacement by new leader cells. These mechanisms ensure sustained forward migration and resistance to chemorepulsion, a behavior of individual cells exposed to steep CCL19 gradients that depends on CCR7 endocytosis. Thus, coordinated cluster dynamics confer distinct chemotactic properties, highlighting unexpected features of lymphoid cell migration.

Targeting of TGF-ß-activated protein kinase 1 inhibits chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 7 expression, tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancer.

TGF-ß-activated protein kinase 1 (TAK1) is a critical mediator in inflammation, immune response and cancer development. Our previous study demonstrated that activation of TAK1 increases the expression of chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 7 (CCR7) and promotes lymphatic invasion ability of breast cancer cells. However, the expression and association of activated TAK1 and CCR7 in breast tumor tissues is unknown and the therapeutic effect by targeting TAK1 is also unclear. We showed that activated TAK1 (as indicated by phospho-TAK1) and its binding protein TAB1 are strongly expressed in breast tumor tissues (77% and 74% respectively). In addition, increase of phospho-TAK1 or TAB1 is strongly associated with overexpression of CCR7. TAK1 inhibitor 5Z-7-Oxozeaenol (5Z-O) inhibited TAK1 activity, suppressed downstream signaling pathways including p38, IκB kinase (IKK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and reduced CCR7 expression in metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, 5Z-O repressed NF-κB- and c-JUN-mediated transcription of CCR7 gene. Knockdown of TAB1 attenuated CCR7 expression and tumor growth in an orthotopic animal study. More importantly, lymphatic invasion and lung metastasis were suppressed. Collectively, our results demonstrate that constitutive activation of TAK1 is frequently found in human breast cancer and this kinase is a potential therapeutic target for this cancer.

Rapid and robust analysis of cellular and molecular polarization induced by chemokine signaling.

Cells respond to chemokine stimulation by losing their round shape in a process called polarization, and by altering the subcellular localization of many proteins. Classic imaging techniques have been used to study these phenomena. However, they required the manual acquisition of many cells followed by time consuming quantification of the morphology and the co-localization of the staining of tens of cells. Here, a rapid and powerful method is described to study these phenomena on samples consisting of several thousands of cells using an imaging flow cytometry technology that combines the advantages of a microscope with those of a cytometer. Using T lymphocytes stimulated with CCL19 and staining for MHC Class I molecules and filamentous actin, a gating strategy is presented to measure simultaneously the degree of shape alterations and the extent of co-localization of markers that are affected by CCL19 signaling. Moreover, this gating strategy allowed us to observe the segregation of filamentous actin (at the front) and phosphorylated Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin (phospho-ERM) proteins (at the rear) in polarized T cells after CXCL12 stimulation. This technique was also useful to observe the blocking effect on polarization of two different elements: inhibition of actin polymerization by a pharmacological inhibitor and expression of mutants of the Par6/atypical PKC signaling pathway. Thus, evidence is shown that this technique is useful to analyze both morphological alterations and protein redistributions.