Membrane-bound CC chemokine inhibitor 35K provides localized inhibition of CC chemokine activity in vitro and in vivo

J Immunol. 2006 Oct 15;177(8):5567-73. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.8.5567.

Abstract

CC chemokines mediate mononuclear cell recruitment and activation in chronic inflammation. We have shown previously that gene transfer using recombinant adenoviruses, encoding a soluble CC chemokine-binding protein of vaccinia virus 35K, can dramatically reduce atherosclerosis and vein graft remodeling in apolipoprotein E knockout mice. In this study, we report the development of a membrane-bound form of 35K (m35K), tagged with GFP, which allows for localized, broad-spectrum CC chemokine blockade. In vitro experiments indicate that m35K-expressing cells no longer undergo CC chemokine-induced chemotaxis, and m35K-expressing cells can locally deplete the CC chemokines RANTES (CCL5) and MIP-1alpha (CCL3) from supernatant medium. This sequestration of CC chemokines can prevent chemotaxis of bystander cells to CC, but not CX(3)C chemokines. Intraperitoneal injection of mice with an adenovirus-encoding m35K leads to a significant (44%) decrease in leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity in a sterile peritonitis model. Intravenous adenovirus-encoding m35K delivery leads to m35K expression in hepatocytes, which confers significant protection against liver damage (75% reduction in liver enzymes) in a Con A-induced hepatitis model. In summary, we have generated a membrane-bound CC chemokine-binding protein (m35K) that provides localized broad-spectrum CC chemokine inhibition in vitro and in vivo. m35K may be a useful tool to study the role of CC chemokines in leukocyte trafficking and block the recruitment of monocytes in chronic inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemokines, CC / agonists*
  • Chemotaxis / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Hepatitis / pathology
  • Hepatitis / therapy
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mice
  • Peritonitis / therapy
  • Vaccinia virus / chemistry
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Chemokines, CC
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • immunodominant protein p35, vaccinia virus
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins