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 Printable version |
Human glioma tumors express high levels of the chemokine receptor CX3CR1 |
European Cytokine Network. Volume 21, Number 1, 27-33, March 2010, Research article
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 Free Article
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Author(s) : Marco Locatelli, Leonardo Boiocchi, Stefano Ferrero, Filippo Martinelli Boneschi, Mario Zavanone, Samantha Pesce, Paola Allavena, Sergio Maria Gaini, Lorenzo Bello, Alberto Mantovani |
Summary : The chemokine receptor CX3CR1 and its cognate ligand CX3CL1 (also known as fractalkine), are involved in central nervous system pathophysiology, in particular, in the cross-talk between neurons and microglia. It was therefore important to investigate the expression of CX3CR1 in gliomas, the most frequently occurring, malignant brain tumors. In a consecutive series of 70 patients with primary, central nervous glial tumors, CX3CR1 was highly expressed in tumor cells as assessed by RT-PCR mRNA and protein levels, and by immunohistochemistry, while the corresponding normal cells were negative. Receptor immuno-positivity did not correlate with histology, grade, chromosomal (1p,19q) deletion, or with methylation of the DNA repair gene promoter MGMT (O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase). Thus, CX3CR1 expression is a frequent event in gliomas, irrespective of tumor classification and clinical severity. The molecular basis underlying CX3CR1 up-regulation and its functional biological significance remain to be determined. |
Keywords : gliomas, chemokines, CX3CR1, CX3CL1, histochemistry |
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