Eosinophil recruitment in type-2 hypersensitivity pulmonary granulomas: source and contribution of monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (CCL7)

Am J Pathol. 2002 Jul;161(1):257-66. doi: 10.1016/S0002-9440(10)64177-6.

Abstract

Monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3/CCL7) has potent eosinophil chemoattractant properties. The present study determined its relative contribution to the formation of Th2 cytokine-mediated (type-2) eosinophil-rich interstitial lung granulomas induced by antigens of Schistosoma mansoni eggs. Both MCP-3 transcripts and protein levels were more strongly expressed in lungs with type-2 than with type-1 (mycobacterial antigen-elicited Th1-mediated) granulomas. In vivo treatment with neutralizing antibodies demonstrated that MCP-3 abrogated eosinophil accumulation in type-2 lesions by 40 to 50%. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that MCP-3 localized to vessels in or near granulomas suggesting that endothelial cells were an important in situ source of MCP-3. Maximal MCP-3 transcript expression was abrogated by anti-interleukin-4 treatment. Furthermore, cultured mouse lung endothelial cells displayed augmented MCP-3 production in response to interleukin-4. Together, these results suggest that MCP-3 contributes to a significant component of eosinophil recruitment in the type-2 interstitial granuloma formation and Th2 cytokines promote its production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / pharmacology
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology*
  • Blood Vessels / metabolism
  • Cell Movement
  • Chemokine CCL7
  • Cytokines*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Eosinophils / pathology
  • Eosinophils / physiology*
  • Female
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / immunology*
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / pathology
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / physiopathology
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Interleukin-4 / immunology
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung Diseases / immunology*
  • Lung Diseases / pathology
  • Lung Diseases / physiopathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Monocyte Chemoattractant Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Monocyte Chemoattractant Proteins / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Circulation
  • Schistosoma mansoni / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Ccl7 protein, mouse
  • Chemokine CCL7
  • Cytokines
  • Monocyte Chemoattractant Proteins
  • Interleukin-4