Cutting edge: IL-16/CD4 preferentially induces Th1 cell migration: requirement of CCR5

EA Lynch, CAW Heijens, NF Horst… - The Journal of …, 2003 - journals.aai.org
EA Lynch, CAW Heijens, NF Horst, DM Center, WW Cruikshank
The Journal of Immunology, 2003journals.aai.org
IL-16 binds to CD4 and induces a migratory response in CD4+ T cells. Although it has been
assumed that CD4 is the sole receptor and that IL-16 induces a comparable migratory
response in all CD4+ T cells, this has not been investigated. In this study, we determined
that IL-16 preferentially induces a migratory response in Th1 cells. Because chemokine
receptor CCR5 is expressed predominantly in Th1 cells and is physically associated with
CD4, we investigated whether IL-16/CD4 stimulation was enhanced in the presence of …
Abstract
IL-16 binds to CD4 and induces a migratory response in CD4+ T cells. Although it has been assumed that CD4 is the sole receptor and that IL-16 induces a comparable migratory response in all CD4+ T cells, this has not been investigated. In this study, we determined that IL-16 preferentially induces a migratory response in Th1 cells. Because chemokine receptor CCR5 is expressed predominantly in Th1 cells and is physically associated with CD4, we investigated whether IL-16/CD4 stimulation was enhanced in the presence of CCR5. Using T cells from CCR5 null mice, we determined that IL-16-induced migration was significantly greater in the presence of CCR5. The presence of CCR5 significantly increased IL-16 binding vs CD4 alone; however, IL-16 could not bind to CCR5 alone. Because CD4+ CCR5+ cells are prevalent at sites of inflammation, this intimate functional relationship likely plays a pivotal role for the recruitment and activation of Th1 cells.
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