Biologic activities of the murine beta-chemokine TCA3

The murine beta-chemokine TCA3 was purified to homogeneity. The biologic activities of the purified glycoprotein were evaluated in vivo and in vitro. Mice injected i.p. with 1- to 100-ng purified rTCA3 exhibited a rapid influx of neutrophils and macrophages. Increased numbers of neutrophils and monocytes were observed in peripheral blood within 15 min and peak at 45 min. After 45 min neutrophil and macrophage levels were increased in the peritoneal exudate with peak levels occurring at 2 h, followed by a subsequent decline by 24 h. Inflammatory responses were induced in a dose-dependent fashion. The in vivo inflammatory responses were mirrored by the pattern of TCA3-induced chemotaxis in vitro. Neutrophils and macrophages responded to similar concentrations of TCA3 (3 x 10(-9) to 10(-8) M). Lymph node cells responded to other chemokines but did not migrate to TCA3. We also demonstrated that rTCA3 stimulates a transient increase in cytoplasmic free calcium in monocytic cells through a PTX-sensitive pathway. Cross-desensitization studies indicate that TCA3 acts independently of other beta-chemokines (MIP-1 alpha and RANTES) and the alpha-chemokine IL-8. Furthermore, TCA3 does not induce a Ca2 lux in cells transfected with cDNA for the C-C CKR-1 chemokine receptor, supporting the conclusion that there are distinct receptors for TCA3.