ELR+ CXC chemokine signalling in articular chondrocyte phenotypic stability

ELR-CXC Chemokine Receptor Antagonism

A homeostatic function of CXCR2 signalling in articular cartilage

OBJECTIVE ELR+ CXC chemokines are heparin-binding cytokines signalling through the CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors. ELR+ CXC chemokines have been associated with inflammatory arthritis due to their capacity to attract inflammatory cells. Here, we describe an unsuspected physiological function of these molecules in articular cartilage homeostasis. METHODS Chemokine receptors and ligands were detecte...

The CXC chemokine receptor 2, CXCR2, is the putative receptor for ELR+ CXC chemokine-induced angiogenic activity.

We have previously shown that members of the ELR(+) CXC chemokine family, including IL-8; growth-related oncogenes alpha, beta, and gamma; granulocyte chemotactic protein 2; and epithelial neutrophil-activating protein-78, can mediate angiogenesis in the absence of preceding inflammation. To date, the receptor on endothelial cells responsible for chemotaxis and neovascularization mediated by th...

The functional role of the ELR motif in CXC chemokine-mediated angiogenesis.

In this study, we demonstrate that the CXC family of chemokines displays disparate angiogenic activity depending upon the presence or absence of the ELR motif. CXC chemokines containing the ELR motif (ELR-CXC chemokines) were found to be potent angiogenic factors, inducing both in vitro endothelial chemotaxis and in vivo corneal neovascularization. In contrast, the CXC chemokines lacking the EL...

Down-regulation of neutrophil functions by the ELR(+) CXC chemokine platelet basic protein.

The platelet-derived neutrophil-activating peptide 2 (NAP-2, 70 amino acids) belongs to the ELR(+) CXC subfamily of chemokines. Similar to other members of this group, such as IL-8, NAP-2 activates chemotaxis and degranulation in neutrophils (polymorphonuclear [PMN]) through chemokine receptors CXCR-1 and CXCR-2. However, platelets do not secrete NAP-2 as an active chemokine but as the C-termin...