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A Flow Cytometry-based Assay to Identify Compounds That Disrupt Binding of Fluorescently-labeled CXC Chemokine Ligand 12 to CXC Chemokine Receptor 4
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A Flow Cytometry-based Assay to Identify Compounds That Disrupt Binding of Fluorescently-labeled CXC Chemokine Ligand 12 to CXC Chemokine Receptor 4

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The CXCL12/CXCR4 chemokine ligand/receptor axis in cardiovascular disease

Yvonne Döring1, Lukas Pawig2, Christian Weber3

  • 1Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany.

Frontiers in Physiology
|June 27, 2014
PubMed

Insights

The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is crucial for progenitor cell homing and mobilization. New research reveals complex interactions with MIF and CXCR7, impacting myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, and vascular restenosis, offering therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis traditionally mediates progenitor cell homing and mobilization.
  • Recent discoveries of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as a CXCR4 ligand and CXCR7 as a CXCL12 receptor complicate this understanding.
  • This axis is implicated in myocardial infarction (MI) and related pathologies like atherosclerosis and vascular restenosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in myocardial infarction and associated diseases.
  • To explore the role of this axis in progenitor cell homing and mobilization.
  • To discuss the function of CXCR4 in atherosclerosis and its therapeutic potential.

Main Methods:

  • Review of in vitro studies.
  • Analysis of animal experiments.
  • Examination of large-scale genome-wide association studies.

Main Results:

  • The CXCL12/CXCR4 interaction is more complex than previously thought, involving additional ligands and receptors.
  • This axis plays a significant role in progenitor cell trafficking and inflammatory processes relevant to cardiovascular diseases.
  • CXCR4 function in various cell types contributes to atherosclerosis development.

Conclusions:

  • The intricate CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling network is central to cardiovascular pathologies.
  • Understanding these complex interactions is vital for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting cardiovascular diseases.
  • Further research into CXCR4's role may unlock new treatments for MI and atherosclerosis.

Keywords:
CXCL12CXCR4CXCR7MIFatherosclerosiscardiovascular diseasemyocardial infarctionrestenosis

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