Le récepteur à chimiokine CXCR4 est à ce jour l’un des récepteurs couplés aux protéines G les plus étudiés. Le CXCL12, sa chimiokine endogène induit l’activation de plusieurs voies de signalisation cruciales à plusieurs processus physiologiques. Par ailleurs, dans de nombreux processus pathologiques comme le cancer, le récepteur CXCR4 et/ou son ligand endogène sont surexprimés et facilite la dissémination et le maintien de conditions favorables à la prolifération cancéreuse. Afin d’étudier le récepteur CXCR4 et sa signalisation, notre approche vise à développer des ligands ciblant le CXCR4 en se basant sur CXCL12. Par des études de relation structure-activité et du design rationnel, nous avons conçu des chimères du CXCR4. Ces outils pharmacologiques nous permettent de mieux extraire les déterminants structuraux impliqués dans l’activation du CXCR4 mais aussi d’étudier les voies de signalisation associées à ces nouvelles entités chimiques. Nos données de relation structure-activité ont permis de mettre en évidence deux positions clés sur le N-terminal de nos chimères, la position 3 et la position 7 cruciales pour l’affinité et l’efficacité respectivement. Nous avons pu moduler l’efficacité ainsi que l’affinité de nos chimères en introduisant des acides aminés non naturels capables de potentialiser l’effet pharmacologique. Nous avons également corrélé nos résultats de SAR avec de la dynamique moléculaire réalisée à partir des deux structures cristallographiques du CXCR4. Nos données de dynamique moléculaire montrent des différences structurales importantes au niveau des domaines transmembranaires 3 et 7 en présence ou non de nos chimères. Par ailleurs, nous avons développé un nouveau déterminant avec des propriétés pharmacocinétiques améliorées comparativement au déterminant d’affinité des chimères de première génération. La caractérisation de ce déterminant a par ailleurs révélé son caractère agoniste inverse. Tous ces résultats apportent des éléments clés pour un meilleur design de molécules à visée thérapeutique ciblant le CXCR4.

C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is known to regulate lung, pancreatic and prostate cancer stem cells. In breast cancer, CXCR4 signalling via stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) has been reported to be a mediator of metastasis, and is linked to poor prognosis. However its role in normal and malignant breast stem cell function has not been investigated. Anoikis-resistant (AR) cells were collected from mammosphere culture from 2 immortalised (MCF10A, 226L) and 3 malignant (MCF7, T47D, SKBR3) breast cell lines. For all cell lines, AR cells had a significantly higher mammosphere forming efficiency (MFE) than unsorted cells. The AR cells of the normal cell lines also demonstrated increased formation of 3D structures using the Matrigel assay. In vivo, MCF7 and T47D AR cells demonstrated increased capacity to form tumours compared with unsorted cells. This suggests that AR cells are enriched for normal and malignant breast stem cells. We performed an Agilent custom gene microarray and demonstrated up-regulation of CXCR4 mRNA expression in AR cells. CXCR4 protein expression was also higher in AR cells, shown by flow cytometry. The effects of AMD3100 (CXCR4 antagonist) and SDF-1 (CXCR4 ligand) on stem cell activity were investigated in the mammosphere assay. In the normal cell lines, SDF-1 significantly reduced MFE and this decrease was rescued by AMD3100. Incubation with AMD3100 increased MFE in the estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and T47D) and patient-derived metastatic tumour samples. AMD3100 reduced the self-renewal of T47D cells, as assessed by second generation mammospheres. MCF7 cells were retro-virally transfected to over-express CXCR4 or sorted for CXCR4 cell surface expression. Mammosphere formation was significantly increased in CXCR4+ and CXCR4 over-expressing cells compared with CXCR4- and parental cells. There was a greater reduction in self-renewal following AMD3100 treatment in the CXCR4 over-expressing cells compared with parental cells. AMD3100 has been shown to have an agonistic effect on the novel chemokine receptor CXCR7, a scavenging receptor for SDF-1. All cell lines demonstrated cell surface expression of CXCR7, measured by flow cytometry and mRNA expression. Potential interactions between CXCR4, CXCR7 and SDF-1 must be considered in future investigation of the role of CXCR4 signalling. Our data establish that CXCR4 signalling has contrasting effects on normal and malignant breast stem cell activity. CXCR4 influences self-renewal of malignant stem cells which may account for its role in tumorigenesis. CXCR4 signalling may be important in tumour formation at the sites of metastases as well as in cell migration. Its role in stem cell migration merits further investigation. In conclusion, CXCR4-targeted therapy, alongside current standards of care, may improve breast cancer outcomes.

Abstract There are approximately 5.5 Million individuals in South Africa infected with HIV-1, predominantly subtype C (HIV-1C). The emergence of drug resistance to the current Antiretroviral (ARV) regimes is of great concern, thus development of novel, effective drugs/vaccines is vital. Certain conserved and thus vulnerable epitopes within the viral envelope (Env) involved in coreceptor binding are usually protected from the immune system in peripheral blood by the variable loops. However, in immune-privileged sites the Env of CD4-independent viruses may exist in a pre-triggered state where these coreceptor binding epitopes are exposed. Targeting the conserved sites could effectively neutralize HIV-1. This study aimed to adapt an HIV-1C primary isolate towards CD4- independence in the Cf2Th cell line through serial in vitro passage. Primary viruses from 20 drug-naïve HIV-1 AIDS patients were isolated and genotypically and phenotypically characterized. The highest percentage (30%) of CXCR4-usage amongst primary isolates from HIV-1C (and CD recombinant) infected AIDS patients worldwide was detected. These data may illustrate the increasing frequency of HIV-1C CXCR4- utilizing (X4) viruses with time and may support the theory that env is capable of evolving. The emergence/evolution of HIV-1C X4 viruses may have profound implications for viral pathogenesis, disease progression and future use of CCR5 antagonists as ARVs. Longitudinal follow-up studies on larger cohorts may confirm this finding. The CXCR4-utilizing isolate 05ZAFV03 was successfully adapted and serially passaged 12 times through Cf2Th cells, whilst gradually decreasing amounts of CD4 expressing cells numbers over time. Viral growth was detected with 10% CD4 expressing cells however, 100% CD4-independence was not reached. Proviral DNA from each stage of the adaptation process was sequenced and analyzed for mutations acquired within env. The only amino acid change noted was an E152K mutation within the V1 region at passage 4. Overall, the extent of env diversity appears to be a complex relationship between isolate-specific and cell-type specific factors. Future attempts to obtain and characterize an HIV-1C CD4-independent isolate will provide potential sites for therapeutic intervention by compounds such as small molecule inhibitors and/or neutralizing antibodies against the most globally prevalent HIV-1 subtype.

CD34 and its relatives, Podocalyxin and Endoglycan, comprise of a family of surface sialomucins expressed by hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, and vascular endothelia. Recent data suggest that they serve as either pro- or anti-adhesion molecules depending on their cellular context and their post-translational modifications. We were interested in identifying Podocalyxin ligands and their cellular distribution and understanding the role of these factors in signaling, adhesion and migration. Using both a lambda phage screen assay and mass spectrometry, we identified the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger regulatory factor-i (NHERF-l) as a selective ligand for Podocalyxin and Endoglycan but not for the closely related CD34. Furthermore, we showed that NHERF-1 is expressed by all, lineage⁻, Sca-1⁺ and c-kit⁺ (LSK) cells, which are known to express Podocalyxin and have long-term repopulating characteristics of hematopoietic stem cells. In addition, upon IL-3 stimulation of a factor dependent cell line (FDC-P 1) these proteins re-localize and co-localize in an asymmetrical pattern. By using a lentiviral based shRNA system to silence Podocalyxin and NHERF- i proteins, we observed that migration across stromal monolayer towards a CXCL12 and SCF gradient is significantly impeded in cells that lack Podocalyxin but not NHERF-1. Following in vitro stimulation with a combination of CXCL12 and SCF we observed that Podocalyxin co-associates with CXCR4. Furthermore, cells lacking Podocalyxin have decreased phospho-AKT, a key signaling molecule downstream of c-kit and CXCR4 receptors. Taken together, our data supports the conclusion that Podocalyxin co-association with CXCR4 modulates downstream signaling to efficiently regulate HSC homing.

CD34 and its relatives, Podocalyxin and Endoglycan, comprise of a family of surface sialomucins expressed by hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, and vascular endothelia. Recent data suggest that they serve as either pro- or anti-adhesion molecules depending on their cellular context and their post-translational modifications. We were interested in identifying Podocalyxin ligands and their cellular distribution and understanding the role of these factors in signaling, adhesion and migration. Using both a lambda phage screen assay and mass spectrometry, we identified the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger regulatory factor-i (NHERF-l) as a selective ligand for Podocalyxin and Endoglycan but not for the closely related CD34. Furthermore, we showed that NHERF-1 is expressed by all, lineage⁻, Sca-1⁺ and c-kit⁺ (LSK) cells, which are known to express Podocalyxin and have long-term repopulating characteristics of hematopoietic stem cells. In addition, upon IL-3 stimulation of a factor dependent cell line (FDC-P 1) these proteins re-localize and co-localize in an asymmetrical pattern. By using a lentiviral based shRNA system to silence Podocalyxin and NHERF- i proteins, we observed that migration across stromal monolayer towards a CXCL12 and SCF gradient is significantly impeded in cells that lack Podocalyxin but not NHERF-1. Following in vitro stimulation with a combination of CXCL12 and SCF we observed that Podocalyxin co-associates with CXCR4. Furthermore, cells lacking Podocalyxin have decreased phospho-AKT, a key signaling molecule downstream of c-kit and CXCR4 receptors. Taken together, our data supports the conclusion that Podocalyxin co-association with CXCR4 modulates downstream signaling to efficiently regulate HSC homing.

Little is known about the outward trafficking of receptor dimers from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane, or the role that trafficking plays in assembly, targeting and specificity of receptor signalling. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation was used to follow prescribed receptor homo/heterodimers in Jurkat cells and clarify the trafficking itineraries those receptors follow to reach the plasma membrane. Chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CCR5 were chosen due to their implication in numerous pathologies including, HIV and cancer, and their ability to form homo and hetero-oligomers. This study demonstrates that although the individual receptors composing heterodimeric complexes are the same as in homodimeric complexes, the heterodimer traffics and signals independently of its constituent homodimers. The presence of CD4 affects the trafficking of CCR5 containing dimers but not the CXCR4 homodimer. These observations demonstrate the importance of considering receptor heterodimers as distinct signalling entities that should be more carefully and individually characterized.

Orientador: Sandra Helena Penha de Oliveira / Banca: Edson Antunes / Banca: Lucia Helena Faccioli / Resumo: A quimiocina C-X-X motif ligand 12 (CXCL12) e seu receptor de quimiocina 4 (CXCR4) desenvolvem um papel crítico na inflamação das vias aéreas. No entanto, os efeitos da ativação da via CXCL12/CXCR4 sobre fibroblastos pulmonares ainda são desconhecidos. Neste estudo, investigamos o efeito da via CXCL12/CXCR4 sobre a quimiocina (C-C motif) ligante 3 (CCL3) e (C-X-C motif) ligante 2 (CXCL2) e sobre os mediadores lipídicos leucotrienos B4 (LTB4) e C4 (LTC4) por fibroblastos pulmonares e a sinalização intracelular envolvida neste processo. CXCL12 foi capaz de induzir a produção de CCL3, CXCL2, LTB4 e LTC4; a produção de CCL3 não é dependente da produção de CXCL2, mas a produção de CXCL2 é dependente da produção de CCL3. A produção de LTB4 pode ser parcialmente regulada por CXCL2 e CCL3 e a produção de LTC4 é dependente da produção de CCL3 e CXCL2. Fibroblastos pulmonares constitutivamente expressam CXCR4 e a estimulação com CXCL12 induz sua expressão. Análises de Western blot mostraram que CXCL12 aumenta a expressão proteica de CXCR4 e induz a fosforilação da S339 do CXCR4. A expressão gênica constitutiva e induzida de CXCR4 foram inibidas pelo anticorpo anti-CXCL2. No entanto, o anticorpo anti-CCL3 e o inibidor farmacológico MK886 foram capazes de diminuir a expressão gênica induzida de CXCR4. Os fibroblastos pulmonares foram pré-tratados com MK886, dexametasona (Dexa) e/ou loratadina (Lor). MK886 e Lor promoveram a diminuição da produção de LTC4 e LTB4, mas não a de CCL3 e CXCL2. Dexa diminuiu níveis de CCL3, CXCL2, LTB4 e LTC4, e quando associado com Lor esta diminuição foi mais eficaz. Identificamos... / Abstract: C-X-X motif ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its specific receptor Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) play a critical role in airway inflammation. However, the effects of CXCL12/CXCR4 axis on pulmonary fibroblast activation are unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of CXCL12/CXCR4 axis on chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2), leukotrienes B4 (LTB4) and C4 (LTC4) production by pulmonary fibroblasts and the intracellular signaling involved in the process. CXCL12 induced CCL3, CXCL2, LTB4 and LTC4 production, and CCL3 production is not dependent on CXCL2; but CXCL2 production is dependent on CCL3 production. LTB4 production can be partially down-regulated by CXCL2 and CCL3 production and LTC4 production is dependent on CCL3 and CXCL2 production. Pulmonary fibroblasts constitutively expressed CXCR4, and CXCL12 stimulation up-regulated its expression. Western blot analysis showed that CXCL12 increased protein expression of CXCR4 and induced phosphorylation at S339 of CXCR4. Constitutive CXCR4 expression was decreased by anti-CCL3 antibody or MK 886. Inducible CXCR4 was inhibited by anti-CXCL2 antibody. Indeed pulmonary fibroblasts were pretreated with MK886, dexamethasone (Dexa) and loratadine (Lor). MK886 and loratadine was able to reduced LTB4 and LTC4 production but not CCL3 and CXCL2. Dexa decreased CCL3, CXCL2, LTB4 and LTC4 production, and when associated with Lor this decrease was more effective. We found that PI-3K and JNK intracellular signaling play a role in CCL3 production; p38, MEK1/2, PI-3K and JNK are involved in CXCL2 production and p38 and MEK1/2 pathways are involved in LTB4 production by... / Mestre

ALVES, Markênia Kélia Santos. Identificação de alterações moleculares associadas à expressão de CD133, CXCR4, CD44 E OLIG2 e metilação em promotor de CDKN2A em tumores astrocíticos. 2014. 89 f. Tese (Doutorado em biotecnologia)- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2014. / Submitted by Elineudson Ribeiro (elineudsonr@gmail.com) on 2016-09-09T12:10:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_tese_mksalves.pdf: 2238362 bytes, checksum: f1bbe27ba89548ddbbd8b206939190d7 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jairo Viana (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-09-27T17:42:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_tese_mksalves.pdf: 2238362 bytes, checksum: f1bbe27ba89548ddbbd8b206939190d7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-27T17:42:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_tese_mksalves.pdf: 2238362 bytes, checksum: f1bbe27ba89548ddbbd8b206939190d7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Currently, the concept that tumors are cell populations organized in a hierarchically heterogenous way in which stem-cells are relevantly important as these cells have the capacity of self-renew and of generating cell lineages in different phases of differentiation. So that, the identification of stem-cell components is essential to tumorigenesis understanding. Althought neural cell lineage markers have been identified, the association among these markers and neurological tumors is still scarce, and taking in consideration the astrocytomas, the association assessements are verified mainly regarding the glioblastomas. Among these stem cell markers, CD133, CXCR4 and CD44 are related to the glioma formation, migration and growth; on the other hand, OLIG2 is involved in cell destination. So far there are no studies evaluating all these markers together and their relationship to tumor grades. Additionally, specific epigenetic alterations, specially promoter methylation, have been widelly identified in these tumors, leading to gene inativation, mostly involving CDKN2A (p16INK4A protein), a tumor suppressor. Althought this mechanism is pointed as this gene main inactivator, there are still controvertial questions regarding the astrocytomas. In order to evaluate these questions, the present study aimed to determine CDKN2A pattern of methylation and expression and their association to clinicalpathological parameters, and if the presence of progenitor/stem-cells, taking CD133, CXCR4, CD44 and OLIG2 expression in consideration, could define subpopulations of cells which might be used as prognostic markers. So, in a series of 93 astrocytomas of different malignity grades, the expression of CD133, CXCR4, CD44, OLIG2 and p16INK4A was analysed by the imunohistochemistry technique, and the CDKN2A methylation status was assessed by methylation specific PCR (MS-PCR). The data was then associated to tumor grades, localization and other clinicalpathological parameters. The statistic analyses were made using X 2 test, Fisher's exact test, Spearman's correlation, kmeans groupment and principal component analyses, using p<0.05 as statistically significance. The imunopositivity of OLIG2 was predominant (73.1%), followed by CXCR4 (60.2%), CD44 (55.9%) and CD133 (45.2%). The correlation and groupment analyses defined two different population subtypes, a CXCR4(+)CD133(+)CD44(+) subtype and a OLIG2(+) subtype. CXCR4(+)CD133(+)CD44(+) tumors became more frequent as malignity grew. In grade IV, this subtype was significantly more frequent (p=0.008), being also in diffuse tumors. Additionally, CXCR4(+) and CD133(+) tumors were preferentially located in brain hemisferes and in the ventricles, and mostly in aged >30 patients. On the other side, OLIG2(+) tumors were associated to the cerebellum, which is the pylocitic tumor preferential localization. A strong negative correlation between nuclear and cytoplasmatic imunopositivity and promoter methylation in CDKN2A was observed. Also, a negative significant correlation between methylated CDKN2A and patient's age was found; moreover, feminine patients presented a higher frequency of methylated CDKN2A. In conclusion, the presence of stemcell subpopulations in astrocytomas indicates tumoral progression, in which CXCR4, CD133 and CD44 may be potentially used together as prognostic markers. The association between tumor localization and patient's age also corroborates these findings. Additionally, the CDKN2A inactivation by promoter methylation is a frequent event in astrocytomas and it is associated to patient's age and gender. / Tumores são populações celulares heterogêneas hierarquicamente organizadas, cujas células-tronco possuem importância relevante desde que são células com a capacidade de se renovarem e de gerarem linhagens em fases diferentes. Dada a sua importância, a identificação de componentes de células-tronco é essencial para o entendimento da tumorigênese. Apesar de marcadores de linhagem neural terem sido identificados, a associação destes marcadores com os tumores cerebrais ainda é escassa e nos astrocitomas são relacionados principalmente aos glioblastomas. Entre esses marcadores de células-tronco,CD133, CXCR4 e CD44 são relacionados à formação do glioma, migração e crescimento; por outro lado, OLIG2 é envolvido no destino celular. Não existem estudos, até essa data, que avaliam todos esses marcadores juntos e sua relação com grau tumoral. Adicionalmente, alterações epigenéticas específicas, especialmente a metilação em promotor, tem sido identificadas nestes tumores, levando a inativação de genes, com destaque o CDKN2A (proteína p16INK4A), um supressor tumoral. Apesar de esse mecanismo ser apontado como o principal inativador desse gene, em astrocitomas ainda existem questões controversas. Para avaliar essas questões, este estudo objetivou determinar a expressão e padrão de metilação em promotor de CDKN2A e sua associação com parâmetros clinico-patológicos e se a presença de células-tronco/progenitoras, considerando a expressão de CD133, CXCR4, CD44 e OLIG2 poderia definir subpopulações de células que podem ser usadas como marcadores prognósticos. Para isso, em uma série de 93 astrocitomas de diferentes graus de malignidade, foram estudadas a expressão dos marcadores CD133, CXCR4, CD44, OLIG2 e p16INK4A, detectada pela técnica de imunohistoquímica, e o padrão de metilação em promotor de CDKN2A, por PCR específico para metilação (PCR-MS). Os dados foram então associados com grau tumoral, localização e outros parâmetros clinico-patológicos. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas usando o teste do X2, teste exato de Fisher, correlação de Spearman, agrupamento de k-means e análise de componentes principais, com diferenças consideradas significantes com p<0.05. A imunomarcação de OLIG2 mostrou a frequência maior de positividade (73,1%), seguido por CXCR4 (60,2%), CD44 (55,9%) e CD133 (45,2%). Análises de correlação e agrupamento definiram dois subtipos de população de acordo com os marcadores estudados, um subtipo CXCR4(+)CD133(+)CD44(+) e outro OLIG2(+). Tumores CD133, CXCR4 e CD44 positivos aumentaram de acordo com malignidade. No grau IV, este subtipo de tumores [CD133(+)CXCR4(+)CD44(+)] foi significantemente mais frequente (p=0,008) e também nos tumores difusos. Adicionalmente, tumores com CXCR4(+) e CD133(+) foram preferencialmente localizados nos hemisférios cerebrais e nos ventrículos, e a maioria nos pacientes com idade ≥ 30 anos. Por outro lado, tumores OLIG2(+) foram associados com o cerebelo, que é a localização preferencial do astrocitoma pilocítico. Uma forte correlação negativa entre imunomarcação nuclear e citoplasmática e metilação em promotor de CDKN2A foi encontrada. Além do mais, uma correlação negativa significante entre metilação em promotor de CDKN2A e idade foi observada e pacientes do sexo feminino tiveram uma maior frequência significante de CDKN2A metilado em promotor que o sexo masculino. Em conclusão, a presença de subpopulações de células-tronco em astrocitomas é indicativa de progressão tumoral, cujos marcadores CXCR4, CD133 e CD44 podem ser potencialmente usados em conjunto como marcadores prognósticos. A associação com localização do tumor e idade também corroboram esses achados. Adicionalmente, a inativação de CDKN2A por metilação em promotor é um evento frequente em astrocitomas e é relacionada à idade e sexo dos pacientes.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-27T14:36:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-08-05Bitstream added on 2014-08-27T15:57:02Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000749985.pdf: 1413898 bytes, checksum: 7421bc33cc6d75478dcb676de29021bd (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A quimiocina C-X-X motif ligand 12 (CXCL12) e seu receptor de quimiocina 4 (CXCR4) desenvolvem um papel crítico na inflamação das vias aéreas. No entanto, os efeitos da ativação da via CXCL12/CXCR4 sobre fibroblastos pulmonares ainda são desconhecidos. Neste estudo, investigamos o efeito da via CXCL12/CXCR4 sobre a quimiocina (C-C motif) ligante 3 (CCL3) e (C-X-C motif) ligante 2 (CXCL2) e sobre os mediadores lipídicos leucotrienos B4 (LTB4) e C4 (LTC4) por fibroblastos pulmonares e a sinalização intracelular envolvida neste processo. CXCL12 foi capaz de induzir a produção de CCL3, CXCL2, LTB4 e LTC4; a produção de CCL3 não é dependente da produção de CXCL2, mas a produção de CXCL2 é dependente da produção de CCL3. A produção de LTB4 pode ser parcialmente regulada por CXCL2 e CCL3 e a produção de LTC4 é dependente da produção de CCL3 e CXCL2. Fibroblastos pulmonares constitutivamente expressam CXCR4 e a estimulação com CXCL12 induz sua expressão. Análises de Western blot mostraram que CXCL12 aumenta a expressão proteica de CXCR4 e induz a fosforilação da S339 do CXCR4. A expressão gênica constitutiva e induzida de CXCR4 foram inibidas pelo anticorpo anti-CXCL2. No entanto, o anticorpo anti-CCL3 e o inibidor farmacológico MK886 foram capazes de diminuir a expressão gênica induzida de CXCR4. Os fibroblastos pulmonares foram pré-tratados com MK886, dexametasona (Dexa) e/ou loratadina (Lor). MK886 e Lor promoveram a diminuição da produção de LTC4 e LTB4, mas não a de CCL3 e CXCL2. Dexa diminuiu níveis de CCL3, CXCL2, LTB4 e LTC4, e quando associado com Lor esta diminuição foi mais eficaz. Identificamos... / C-X-X motif ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its specific receptor Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) play a critical role in airway inflammation. However, the effects of CXCL12/CXCR4 axis on pulmonary fibroblast activation are unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of CXCL12/CXCR4 axis on chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2), leukotrienes B4 (LTB4) and C4 (LTC4) production by pulmonary fibroblasts and the intracellular signaling involved in the process. CXCL12 induced CCL3, CXCL2, LTB4 and LTC4 production, and CCL3 production is not dependent on CXCL2; but CXCL2 production is dependent on CCL3 production. LTB4 production can be partially down-regulated by CXCL2 and CCL3 production and LTC4 production is dependent on CCL3 and CXCL2 production. Pulmonary fibroblasts constitutively expressed CXCR4, and CXCL12 stimulation up-regulated its expression. Western blot analysis showed that CXCL12 increased protein expression of CXCR4 and induced phosphorylation at S339 of CXCR4. Constitutive CXCR4 expression was decreased by anti-CCL3 antibody or MK 886. Inducible CXCR4 was inhibited by anti-CXCL2 antibody. Indeed pulmonary fibroblasts were pretreated with MK886, dexamethasone (Dexa) and loratadine (Lor). MK886 and loratadine was able to reduced LTB4 and LTC4 production but not CCL3 and CXCL2. Dexa decreased CCL3, CXCL2, LTB4 and LTC4 production, and when associated with Lor this decrease was more effective. We found that PI-3K and JNK intracellular signaling play a role in CCL3 production; p38, MEK1/2, PI-3K and JNK are involved in CXCL2 production and p38 and MEK1/2 pathways are involved in LTB4 production by...

CD34 and its relatives, Podocalyxin and Endoglycan, comprise of a family of surface sialomucins expressed by hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, and vascular endothelia. Recent data suggest that they serve as either pro- or anti-adhesion molecules depending on their cellular context and their post-translational modifications. We were interested in identifying Podocalyxin ligands and their cellular distribution and understanding the role of these factors in signaling, adhesion and migration. Using both a lambda phage screen assay and mass spectrometry, we identified the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger regulatory factor-i (NHERF-l) as a selective ligand for Podocalyxin and Endoglycan but not for the closely related CD34. Furthermore, we showed that NHERF-1 is expressed by all, lineage⁻, Sca-1⁺ and c-kit⁺ (LSK) cells, which are known to express Podocalyxin and have long-term repopulating characteristics of hematopoietic stem cells. In addition, upon IL-3 stimulation of a factor dependent cell line (FDC-P 1) these proteins re-localize and co-localize in an asymmetrical pattern. By using a lentiviral based shRNA system to silence Podocalyxin and NHERF- i proteins, we observed that migration across stromal monolayer towards a CXCL12 and SCF gradient is significantly impeded in cells that lack Podocalyxin but not NHERF-1. Following in vitro stimulation with a combination of CXCL12 and SCF we observed that Podocalyxin co-associates with CXCR4. Furthermore, cells lacking Podocalyxin have decreased phospho-AKT, a key signaling molecule downstream of c-kit and CXCR4 receptors. Taken together, our data supports the conclusion that Podocalyxin co-association with CXCR4 modulates downstream signaling to efficiently regulate HSC homing. / Medicine, Faculty of / Medicine, Department of / Experimental Medicine, Division of / Graduate