Cellular expression of functional chemokine receptor CCR5 and CXCR4 in human embryonic neurons

In the present study we analysed expression of the chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4 in human embryonic neurons. Both receptors were detected in neurons from primary cultures by immunofluorescence and confocal laser microscopy analysis. Both CCR5 and CXCR4 were mainly located inside the cell in the neuronal cell body and processes. In addition, neurons synthesised CCR5 and CXCR4 transcripts, as demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Stimulation with the CCR5 and the CXCR4 agonists increased [Ca(2+)](i) in embryonic neurons, indicating that CXCR4 and CCR5 were functional at the neuronal surface. The inhibitory effect of pertussis toxin demonstrated that G(i)alpha protein is involved in chemokine receptor activation. The fact that chemokine receptors are expressed at embryonic stage in neurons reinforces the idea that chemokines might be cues for neuron pathfinding during brain ontogeny.