C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 pathway as a therapeutic target and regulatory mechanism for spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury involves non-reversible damage to the central nervous system that is characterized by limited regenerative capacity and secondary inflammatory damage.The expression of the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis exhibits significant differences before and after injury.Recent studies have revealed that the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis is closely associated with secondary inflammatory responses and the recruitment of immune cells following spinal cord injury,suggesting that this axis is a novel target and regulatory control point for treatment.This review comprehensively examines the therapeutic strategies targeting the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis,along with the regenerative and repair mechanisms linking the axis to spinal cord injury.Additionally,we summarize the upstream and downstream inflammatory signaling pathways associated with spinal cord injury and the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis.This review primarily elaborates on therapeutic strategies that target the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis and the latest progress of research on antagonistic drugs,along with the approaches used to exploit new therapeutic targets within the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis and the development of targeted drugs.Nevertheless,there are presently no clinical studies relating to spinal cord injury that are focusing on the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2/C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 axis.This review aims to provide new ideas and therapeutic strategies for the future treatment of spinal cord injury.

CCR8在卵巢癌浸润性Treg上的表达与意义

目的:分析趋化因子受体8(C⁃C motif chemokine receptor 8,CCR8)在卵巢癌肿瘤浸润性调节性T细胞(regulatory T cell,Treg)中的表达,探讨CCR8对Treg分化的作用。方法:构建C57BL/6小鼠卵巢癌细胞ID8荷瘤模型;流式细胞术检测小鼠肿瘤组织、脾脏和外周血中Treg上CCR8的表达比例,CCR8^(+)Treg上免疫检查点相关蛋白程序性细胞死亡蛋白1(programmed cell death protein 1,PD⁃1)、细胞素性T淋巴细胞抗原4(cytotoxic T⁃lymphocyte antigen 4,CTLA⁃4)、可诱导的T细胞共刺激分子(inducible T cell costimulators,ICOS)、淋巴细胞激活基因3(lymphocyte activation gene 3,LAG⁃3)的表达;流式细胞术检测CCR8变构抑制剂AZ084加入前后对C57BL/6小鼠脾脏中初始CD4^(+)T细胞向Treg分化的影响。结果:卵巢癌荷瘤小鼠肿瘤中Treg上的CCR8表达相比脾脏、外周血的Treg显著增高;相比CCR8^(-)Treg,CCR8^(+)Treg上免疫检查点相关蛋白表达更高;AZ084有效抑制小鼠脾脏中初始CD4^(+)T细胞向Treg的分化。结论:CCR8^(+)Treg在肿瘤浸润性Treg中占主要比例,CCR8作为卵巢癌浸润性Treg的主要标志物,变构CCR8蛋白可以抑制Treg的分化。靶向消除CCR8^(+)Treg可为改善卵巢癌肿瘤微环境的免疫抑制状态提供新思路。

Autocrine IL-8 Contributes to Propionibacterium Acnes-induced Proliferation and Differentiation of HaCaT Cells via AKT/FOXO1/Autophagy

Objective Proprionibacterium acnes(P.acnes)-induced inflammatory responses,proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes contribute to the progression of acne vulgaris(AV).P.acnes was found to enhance the production of interleukin-8(IL-8)by keratinocytes.This study aimed to investigate the role of IL-8 in P.acnes-induced proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes and the underlying mechanism.Methods The P.acnes-stimulated HaCaT cell(a human keratinocyte cell line)model was established.Western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the expression of the IL-8 receptors C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 1(CXCR1)and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2(CXCR2)on HaCaT cells.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay,5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine(EdU)assay and Western blotting were performed to examine the effects of IL-8/CXCR2 axis on the proliferation and differentiation of HaCaT cells treated with P.acnes,the IL-8 neutralizing antibody,the CXCR2 antagonist(SB225002),or the CXCR1/CXCR2 antagonist(G31P).Western blotting,nuclear and cytoplasmic separation,CCK-8 assay,and EdU assay were employed to determine the downstream pathway of CXCR2 after P.acnes-stimulated HaCaT cells were treated with the CXCR2 antagonist,the protein kinase B(AKT)antagonist(AZD5363),or the constitutively active forkhead box O1(FOXO1)mutant.Finally,autophagy markers were measured in HaCaT cells following the transfection of the FOXO1 mutant or treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine(3-MA).Results The expression levels of CXCR1 and CXCR2 were significantly increased on the membrane of HaCaT cells following P.acnes stimulation.The IL-8/CXCR2 axis predominantly promoted the proliferation and differentiation of P.acnes-induced HaCaT cells by activating AKT/FOXO1/autophagy signaling.In brief,IL-8 bound to its receptor CXCR2 on the membrane of keratinocytes to activate the AKT/FOXO1 axis.Subsequently,phosphorylated FOXO1 facilitated autophagy to promote the proliferation and differentiation of P.acnes-induced keratinocytes.Conclusion This study demonstrated the novel autocrine effect of IL-8 on the proliferation and differentiation of P.acnes-induced keratinocytes,suggesting a potential therapeutic target for AV.

玉屏风颗粒联合阿奇霉素治疗肺炎支原体肺炎患儿的疗效及对CXCL8、P2X7受体的影响

目的探析玉屏风颗粒联合阿奇霉素治疗肺炎支原体肺炎(MPP)患儿的疗效及对外周血CXC趋化因子8(CXCL8)、血清腺嘌呤核苷酸离子通道型7(P2X7)受体的影响。方法纳入2019年1月至2022年6月南方医科大学附属珠海医院收治的100例MPP患儿,依据随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,各50例。对照组给予阿奇霉素0.1 g/(kg·d),0.9%氯化钠注射液250 ml配制静脉滴注用药,每日1次;观察组在对照组的基础上联合玉屏风颗粒治疗,每次5 g,每日3次,两组均连续治疗2个疗程。比较两组的临床疗效,治疗前、治疗2个疗程时的免疫因子[免疫球蛋白(Ig)A、IgG、IgM、补体C3、C4]和炎症因子[降钙素原(PCT)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、CXCL8、P2X7受体]水平,以及不良反应发生情况。结果观察组治疗总有效率高于对照组[98.00%(49/50)比80.00%(40/50)](χ^(2)=8.274,P=0.004)。治疗2个疗程时,两组外周血IgA、IgG较治疗前升高(P<0.05),且观察组高于对照组[(1.41±0.20)g/L比(1.22±0.18)g/L、(9.41±2.23)g/L比(7.72±2.45)g/L](P<0.01);IgM、C3和C4较治疗前降低(P<0.05),且观察组低于对照组[(1.12±0.21)g/L比(1.39±0.27)g/L、(1.41±0.31)g/L比(1.89±0.45)g/L、(0.61±0.14)g/L比(0.85±0.18)g/L](P<0.01)。治疗2个疗程时,两组外周血PCT、CRP、CXCL8和P2X7受体均较治疗前降低(P<0.05),且观察组低于对照组[(3.15±0.63)μg/L比(4.72±0.89)μg/L、(3.11±0.52)mg/L比(5.16±0.73)mg/L、(192±18)ng/L比(229±20)ng/L、(80.4±14.3)μg/L比(99.8±15.3)μg/L](P<0.01)。两组患儿恶心呕吐、腹痛腹泻、头晕头痛、皮疹瘙痒的发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论玉屏风颗粒联合阿奇霉素治疗MPP患儿的疗效较好,患儿外周血CXCL8水平和P2X7受体表达明显降低,且联合用药的安全性良好。

Chemokine signaling involving chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 plays a role in descending pain facilitation

Objective Despite accumulating evidence on a role of immune cells and their associated chemicals in mecha- nisms of pain, few studies have addressed the potential role of chemokines in the descending facilitation of persistent pain. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that the chemokine （C-C motif） ligand 2 （CCL2） （commonly known as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1） signaling in the rostral ventromedial medulla （RVM）, a pivotal structure in brainstem pain modulatory circuitry, is involved in descending pain facilitation in rats. Methods An L5 spinal nerve ligation （SNL） was produced in rats under pentobarbital anesthesia. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of CCL2 and CCL2 receptor （CCR2）, and examine their distributions compared with the neuronal marker NeuN as well as glial markers glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP, astroglial） and CD 11 b （microglial）, respectively. Results SNL induced an increase in CCL2 expression in the RVM, and this returned to the control level at 4 weeks after injury. The induced CCL2 colocalized with NeuN, but not with GFAP and CD1 lb. CCR2 was also upregu- lated by SNL in the RVM, and this increase lasted for at least 4 weeks. CCR2 was colocalized with CD1 lb but not GFAP. Few RVM neurons also exhibited CCR2 staining. Neutralizing CCL2 with an anti-CCL2 antibody （0.2-20 ng） or injecting RS-102895 （0.1-10 pmol）, a CCR2b chemokine receptor antagonist, into the RVM on day 1 after SNL, significantly at- tenuated the established thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity. In addition, injection of recombinant rat CCL2 （0.03-3 pmol） into the RVM induced dose-dependent hyperalgesia, which was prevented by pretreatment with RS-102895 （10 pmol）. Interleukin-β （IL-1]3）, a potent inducer of neuronal CCL2, was also selectively upregulated in RVM reactive as- trocytes. Injection of IL-1 ]3 （120 fmol） into the RVM induced behavioral hyperalgesia, which was blocked by RS-102895 （10 pmol）. However, an IL-1 receptor antagonist （3 pmol） did not prevent CCL2 （3 pmol）-induced hyperalgesia. These results suggest that the effect of CCL2 is downstream to IL-113 signaling. Conclusion The IL-1 β and CCL2-CCR2 signaling cascades play a role in neuron-glia-cytokine interactions and the descending facilitation of neuropathic pain.

Transforming growth factor-β and toll-like receptor-4 polymorphisms are not associated with fibrosis in haemochromatosis

AIM:To investigate the role of genetic polymorphisms in the progression of hepatic fibrosis in hereditary haemochromatosis.METHODS:A cohort of 245 well-characterised C282Y homozygous patients with haemochromatosis was studied,with all subjects having liver biopsy data and DNA available for testing.This study assessed the association of eight single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in a total of six genes including toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-β),oxoguanine DNA glycosylase,monocyte chemoattractant protein 1,chemokine C-C motif receptor 2 and interleukin-10 with liver disease severity.Genotyping was performed using high resolution melt analysis and sequencing.The results were analysed in relation to the stage of hepatic fibrosis in multivariate analysis incorporating other cofactors including alcohol consumption and hepatic iron concentration.RESULTS:There were significant associations between the cofactors of male gender(P=0.0001),increasing age(P=0.006),alcohol consumption(P=0.0001),steatosis(P=0.03),hepatic iron concentration(P<0.0001)and the presence of hepatic fibrosis.Of the candidate gene polymorphisms studied,none showed a significant association with hepatic fibrosis in univariate or multivariate analysis incorporating cofactors.We also specifically studied patients with hepatic iron loading above threshold levels for cirrhosis and compared the genetic polymorphisms between those with no fibrosis vs cirrhosis however there was no significant effect from any of the candidate genes studied.Importantly,in this large,well characterised cohort of patients there was no association between SNPs for TGF-βor TLR4and the presence of fibrosis,cirrhosis or increasing fibrosis stage in multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION:In our large,well characterised group of haemochromatosis subjects we did not demonstrate any relationship between candidate gene polymorphisms and hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis.

Transferrin receptor-targeted immunostimulant for photodynamic immunotherapy against metastatic tumors through β-catenin/CREB interruption

The immunosuppressive phenotype of tumor cells extensively attenuates the immune activation effects of traditional treatments.In this work,a transferrin receptor(TfR)targeted immunostimulant(PTI)is fabricated for photodynamic immunotherapy against metastatic tumors by interrupting β-catenin signal pathway.To synthesize PTI,the photosensitizer conjugated TfR targeting peptide moiety(Palmitic-K(PpIX)-HAIYPRH)is unitized to encapsulate the transcription interrupter of ICG-001.On the one hand,the recognition of PTI and TfR can promote drug delivery into tumor cells to destruct primary tumors through photodynamic therapy and initiate an immunogenic cell death with the release of tumorassociated antigens.On the other hand,PTI will interrupt the binding between b-catenin andcAMP response element-binding protein(CREB),regulating the gene transcription to downregulate programmed death ligand 1(PD-L1)while upregulating CeC motif chemokine ligand 4(CCL4).Furthermore,the elevated CCL4 can recruit the dendritic cells to present tumor-specific antigens and promote T cells activation and infiltration,and the downregulated PD-L1 can avoid the immune evasion of tumor cells and activate systemic anti-tumor immunity to eradicate lung metastasis.This work may inspire the development of antibody antibody-free strategy to activate systemic immune response in consideration of immunosuppressive conditions.

CCR8在肿瘤免疫抑制微环境中研究与应用进展

C-C基序趋化因子受体8(C-C motif chemokine receptor 8,CCR8)是一种调控免疫细胞趋化迁移的7次跨膜蛋白,在肿瘤微环境中高表达于Treg表面。由于CCR8^(+)Treg能强烈抑制肿瘤免疫,因此CCR8是一种扭转抑制型肿瘤微环境的理想靶点。目前有多种在研的靶向CCR8抗体药物,可在多种肿瘤模型中特异性清除肿瘤浸润CCR8^(+)Treg、扭转免疫抑制,展现出良好的抗肿瘤活性。此文对CCR8^(+)Treg促进肿瘤进展的基础研究和靶向药物应用进行综述,以期为该靶点肿瘤免疫治疗研究提供参考。

CXCL8/CXCR1驱动FOXS1蛋白促进食管癌ECA109细胞增殖、侵袭及迁移

为了探讨CXC趋化因子配体8(CXC motif chemokine ligand 8,CXCL8)/CXC趋化因子受体1(CXC chemokine receptor 1,CXCR1)对体外人食管癌细胞ECA109增殖、凋亡及侵袭迁移的影响,并观察其与叉头框家族S1(forkhead box S1,FOXS1)蛋白的关系,将人食管癌细胞ECA109转染后分为对照组、CXCL8组、CXCL8+Con-siRNA组和CXCL8+CXCR1-siRNA组。CXCL8终浓度为10μg/mL。采用MTT试验检测细胞增殖情况,克隆试验检测克隆形成情况,流式细胞仪进行细胞凋亡测试,侵袭与迁移能力由Transwell试验和划痕试验测定,Western blotting检测细胞中CXCR1、FOXS1蛋白表达水平。结果显示,与对照组比较,CXCL8能够显著促进ECA109细胞增殖、克隆、侵袭和迁移(P<0.05),而干扰CXCR1后这些作用被阻断(P<0.05)。CXCL8组、CXCL8+Con-siRNA组细胞凋亡率与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),CXCL8+CXCR1-siRNA组细胞凋亡率显著下降(P<0.05)。与对照组比较,CXCL8能够上调食管癌细胞CXCR1和FOXS1蛋白表达(P<0.05),而干扰CXCR1后CXCR1和FOXS1蛋白表达均出现显著下降(P<0.05)。该研究提示,CXCL8/CXCR1可促进食管癌细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移,其作用可能与驱动FOXS1蛋白有关。

CXCR1基因在正常和患临床型乳房炎绵羊乳腺中的表达及功能预测分析

CXCR1基因作为G蛋白偶联受体之一,可与其配体IL-8特异性结合,在炎症反应、肿瘤发生及转移等方面发挥关键调控作用。研究以正常和患临床型乳房炎绵羊(Ovis aries)(共6只,各3只)的乳腺组织作为研究对象,首先采用HE染色法比较观察其组织形态学差异,随后采用荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测CXCR1mRNA的相对表达量,并通过相关生物信息学分析软件对CXCR1基因的靶向miRNAs、涉及到的通路及调控网络等进行预测。HE染色结果显示,与正常乳腺组织(对照组)相比,在患临床型乳房炎乳腺组织(试验组)中结缔组织大量增生,腺泡数量变少且发生萎缩,上皮细胞脱落、腔内有大量炎性细胞浸润。qRT-PCR结果显示,试验组中CXCR1mRNA的表达量较对照组极显著上调(P<0.01)。GO和KEGG分析结果表明,CXCR1基因主要涉及趋化因子-受体相互作用、趋化作用等过程。靶向预测调控绵羊CXCR1基因的miRNAs结果显示,其表达可能受到miR-541-3p、miR-1193-3p等的调控。结果表明,在绵羊临床型乳房炎发生发展过程中,CXCR1基因可能在相关miRNAs的作用下表达上调,进而通过与其配体IL-8结合,趋化炎性细胞向绵羊乳腺感染部位迁移以发挥相应的作用。本研究为进一步深入探究CXCR1基因在绵羊临床型乳房炎发生发展过程中的分子机制提供了参考资料。