Serotonin-mediated tuning of human helper T cell responsiveness to the chemokine CXCL12

PLoS One. 2011;6(8):e22482. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022482. Epub 2011 Aug 10.

Abstract

In addition to its role as neurotransmitter, serotonin (5-HT) is an important modulator of inflammation and immunity. Here, we report novel findings suggesting a 5-HT involvement in T cell migration. In particular, we show that 5-HT tunes the responsiveness of human T lymphocytes to the broadly expressed chemokine CXCL12 in transwell migration assays. By real-time PCR, western blot analysis and electrophysiological patch clamp experiments, we demonstrate that the type 3 5-HT receptor (5-HT(3)) is functionally expressed in human primary T cells. In addition, specific 5-HT(3) receptor agonists selectively decrease T cell migration towards gradients of CXCL12 but not of inflammatory chemokines, such as CCL2 and CCL5. In transmigration experiments, 5-HT(3) receptor stimulation reverts the inhibitory effect of endothelial-bound CXCL12 on T cell migration. Our data suggest that the reduced T cell responsiveness to CXCL12 induced by 5-HT may occur to facilitate T cell extravasation and migration into inflamed tissues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / pharmacology*
  • Chemotaxis / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Polymerization / drug effects
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Serotonin / pharmacology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism
  • Transendothelial and Transepithelial Migration / drug effects

Substances

  • Actins
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin