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Published on: July 7, 2017
Differential expression of CCR3 ligand mRNA in guinea pig lungs during allergen-induced inflammation
1Cardiopulmonary Division, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. ko-asano@qa2.so-net.ne.jp
Objective And Design:
The gene expression profile of CCR3 ligands, eotaxin, RANTES, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3), was examined in normal and inflamed guinea pig lungs.
Material:
Male Hartley guinea pigs (n = 49).
Methods:
Pulmonary mRNA was obtained from naive animals, animals treated with intravenous lipopolysaccharide administration, and animals repeatedly exposed to aerosolized allergen (ovalbumin). Northern analysis was performed to quantify pulmonary expression of eotaxin, RANTES, and MCP-3 mRNA. Pulmonary eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) activity was measured to quantify eosinophil accumulation.
Results:
Eotaxin and RANTES mRNAs, but not MCP-3 mRNA, were constitutively expressed in guinea pig lungs. Lipopolysaccharide treatment increased MCP-3 mRNA expression, but not eotaxin or RANTES mRNA. In contrast, allergen exposure in sensitized animals caused an increase in eotaxin mRNA, which demonstrated good temporal and quantitative correlation with pulmonary EPO activity, but not in MCP-3 or RANTES mRNA.
Conclusions:
Guinea pig CCR3 ligands demonstrated different gene expression profiles in normal and inflamed airways, suggesting that they play different physiological and pathophysiological roles in the airway.
Insights
Different CCR3 ligands, eotaxin and RANTES, are constitutively expressed in guinea pig lungs. Allergen exposure increased eotaxin mRNA, correlating with eosinophil activity, suggesting distinct roles in airway inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary immunology
- Molecular biology
- Chemoattractant receptor research
Background:
- Chemokine receptors, such as CCR3, play crucial roles in immune cell trafficking.
- CCR3 ligands, including eotaxin, RANTES, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3), are implicated in inflammatory processes within the airways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gene expression profiles of CCR3 ligands (eotaxin, RANTES, MCP-3) in normal and inflamed guinea pig lungs.
- To determine the differential expression patterns of these ligands under various inflammatory stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis using Northern blot to quantify mRNA levels of eotaxin, RANTES, and MCP-3 in guinea pig lungs.
- Induction of pulmonary inflammation via intravenous lipopolysaccharide administration or repeated aerosolized ovalbumin exposure.
- Quantification of eosinophil accumulation using eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) activity assay.
Main Results:
- Eotaxin and RANTES mRNA were constitutively expressed, while MCP-3 mRNA was not detected in naive guinea pig lungs.
- Lipopolysaccharide treatment upregulated MCP-3 mRNA expression.
- Allergen exposure significantly increased eotaxin mRNA expression, showing a strong correlation with pulmonary eosinophil peroxidase activity.
Conclusions:
- Guinea pig CCR3 ligands exhibit distinct gene expression patterns in normal versus inflamed airways.
- These differential expression profiles suggest unique physiological and pathophysiological roles for eotaxin, RANTES, and MCP-3 in airway inflammation.
