Extracellular Hsp70 Is Involved in the CXCL12/CXCR4 Pathway in Primary Human Nasal Epithelial Cells: A Preliminary...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cell Biology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• No prior studies investigated extracellular heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) in the upper airway.
• Extracellular Hsp70 and CXCR4 are implicated in various cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the relationship between extracellular Hsp70 and CXCR4.
• To determine their role in primary human nasal epithelial cells.

Main Methods:

• Primary human nasal epithelial (HNE) cells cultured in an air-liquid interface.
• Single-cell qPCR, sequencing, and western blot analysis.
• Investigated CXCR4 and MAPK pathways.

Main Results:

• Extracellular Hsp70 significantly increased CXCR4 expression and protein levels in HNE cells.
• Hsp70 and CXCL12 cotreatment increased phospho-ERK, inhibited by a CXCR4 antagonist (AMD3100).
• Anti-Hsp70 antibody reduced phospho-ERK upregulation.

Conclusions:

• Extracellular Hsp70 activates the CXCR4-dependent downstream signaling pathway in HNE cells.
• The Hsp70-CXCL12/CXCR4 axis warrants further investigation for its role in inflammatory diseases.