Cyclooxygenase regulates cell surface expression of CXCR3/1-storing granules in human CD4+ T cells

J Immunol. 2006 Dec 15;177(12):8806-12. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.12.8806.

Abstract

Efficient migration of CD4+ T cells into sites of infection/inflammation is a prerequisite to protective immunity. Inappropriate recruitment, on the other hand, contributes to inflammatory pathologies. The chemokine/chemokine receptor system is thought to orchestrate T cell homing. In this study, we show that most circulating human CD4+ T cells store the inflammatory chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CXCR1 within a distinct intracellular compartment. Equipped with such storage granules, CD4+ T cells coexpressing both receptors increased from only 1% ex vivo to approximately 30% within minutes of activation with PHA or exposure to the cyclooxygenase (COX) substrate arachidonic acid. Up-regulation was TCR independent and reduced by COX inhibitors at concentrations readily reached in vivo. The inducible inflammatory CXCR3(high)CXCR1+ phenotype identified nonpolarized cells, was preferentially triggered on CCR7+CD4+ T cells, and conferred increased chemotactic responsiveness. Thus, inducible CXCR3/1 expression occurs in a large fraction of CD4+ T cells. Its dependency on COX may explain a number of established, and point toward novel, effects of COX inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arachidonic Acid / pharmacology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / ultrastructure*
  • Chemotaxis
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / chemistry*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / physiology*
  • Receptors, CCR7
  • Receptors, CXCR3
  • Receptors, Chemokine / genetics*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8A / genetics*

Substances

  • CCR7 protein, human
  • CXCR3 protein, human
  • Receptors, CCR7
  • Receptors, CXCR3
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8A
  • Arachidonic Acid
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases