Abstract
It is believed that chemokines and their receptors are involved in trafficking of T-cells to the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of the current study was to define the expression on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) T-cells of six chemokine receptors associated with trafficking to sites of inflammation. Flow cytometry was used to detect chemokine receptor expression. We observed that CD3+T-cells in the CSF express a restricted array of inflammatory chemokine receptors, specifically CXCR3, CCR5 and CCR6, but little CCR1-3. This repertoire was independent of the presence of CNS inflammation, since comparable findings were obtained in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and individuals with non-inflammatory neurological diseases. The enrichment of CCR5+T-cells in the CSF could largely be explained by higher frequency of CD4+/CD45RO+T-cells in this compartment. In contrast, CD4+/CD45RO+T-cells expressing CXCR3 were significantly enriched in CSF as compared with blood. Similar levels of CCR6+/CD3+T-cells were observed in blood and CSF, while levels of CCR2+/CD3+T-cells were lower in CSF than in blood. The CSF was virtually devoid of CCR5+/CXCR3- T-cells, suggesting that the expression of CCR5 alone is not sufficient for the trafficking of CD3+T-cells to the CSF. We hypothesize that CXCR3 is the principal inflammatory chemokine receptor involved in intrathecal accumulation of T-cells in MS. Through interactions with its ligands, CXCR3 is proposed to mediate retention of T-cells in the inflamed CNS.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Clinical and Experimental Immunology |
Volume | 129 |
Issue number | 3 |
Pages (from-to) | 510-8 |
Number of pages | 9 |
ISSN | 0009-9104 |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2002 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Antigens, CD3
- Antigens, CD45
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
- Central Nervous System
- Chemotaxis, Leukocyte
- Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Receptors, CCR5
- Receptors, CXCR3
- Receptors, Chemokine
- T-Lymphocytes