Stimulation of peripheral cannabinoid receptor CB2 induces MCP-1 and IL-8 gene expression in human promyelocytic cell line HL60

• Published in: FEBS letters 1999-04, Vol.448 (2), p.273-277
• Main Authors: Jbilo, Omar, Derocq, Jean-Marie, Segui, Michel, Le Fur, Gérard, Casellas, Pierre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analgesics - pharmacology; Blotting, Northern; Bornanes - pharmacology; Cannabinoid receptor; Chemokine CCL2 - genetics; Chemokine CCL4; Chemokine CXCL1; Chemokines, CXC; Chemotactic Factors - metabolism; Cyclohexanols - pharmacology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; GRO-α, growth regulatory oncogene α; Growth Substances - metabolism; HL-60 Cells; Humans; IL-8, Interleukin 8; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Interleukin 8; Interleukin-8 - genetics; Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins - metabolism; MCP-1, monocyte chemotactic protein 1; MIP-1α, macrophage inhibitory protein 1α; Monocyte chemotactic protein; PTX, pertussis toxin; Pyrazoles - pharmacology; Receptors, Cannabinoid; Receptors, Drug - antagonists & inhibitors; Receptors, Drug - metabolism; Time Factors; Transfection
• ISSN: 0014-5793; 1873-3468
• DOI: 10.1016/S0014-5793(99)00380-4

Using the recently developed methodology of nucleic acid microarrays spotted with specific cDNAs probes belonging to different gene families, we showed for the first time that nanomolar concentrations of the cannabinoid ligand CP-55940 upregulated the expression of two different members of the chemokine gene family: the α-chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) and the β-chemokine monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), in the promyelocytic cell line HL60 transfected with peripheral cannabinoid receptors (CB2). These genomic modulations observed on large-scale cDNA arrays were first confirmed by Northern blot studies. Furthermore, ELISA evaluations in culture supernatants indicated that the cannabinoid-induced activation of these two chemokine genes was followed by enhanced expression and secretion of the corresponding proteins. These upregulations initially observed in transfected HL60 cells overexpressing CB2 receptors, also occurred in normal non-transfected HL60 cells. The enhancement of IL-8 and MCP-1 gene transcription and protein production was shown to be pertussis toxin sensitive attesting that this phenomenon was a G i protein-coupled receptor-mediated process as expected for cannabinoid receptors. More specifically, the abolition of the cannabinoid-induced effect by the specific CB2 antagonist SR 144528 indicated a strict peripheral cannabinoid-mediated process. Altogether, our data highlight a possible new function of peripheral cannabinoid receptors in the modulation of immune and inflammatory responses.