IL-2-regulated expression of the monocyte chemotactic protein-1 receptor (CCR2) in human NK cells: characterization of a predominant 3.4-kilobase transcript containing CCR2B and CCR2A sequences.
NK cells migrate in response to C-C chemokines, including monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and MCP-3. Increased migration was observed in IL-2-activated NK cells. It was therefore of interest to define the expression in resting and activated NK cells of the MCP-1 receptor (CCR2) for which two cDNAs (A and B) have been described. Specific oligonucleotides and reverse-transcriptase PCR revealed the presence in activated NK cells and mononuclear phagocytes of the fragments expected on the basis of the reported cDNAs. In addition, amplification with a common A/B- and an A-specific oligonucleotide yielded an unexpected, abundant, 1649-bp fragment. Sequence analysis as well as Northern blotting and RNase protection with different probes revealed that the CCR2 gene is expressed in activated NK cells and mononuclear phagocytes as a predominant long transcript (3.4 kb) consisting of CCR2B, followed by a novel sequence (X), corresponding to an intron in the genome, and by a CCR2A-specific portion. The predominant long transcript is polyadenylated and present in the cytoplasm. The augmented migratory capacity of IL-2 activated vs resting NK cells was associated with increased CCR2 transcript levels.
Polentarutti
N
N
Institute of Pharmacologic Research, Mario Negri, Milano, Italy.
Allavena
P
P
Bianchi
G
G
Giardina
G
G
Basile
A
A
Sozzani
S
S
Mantovani
A
A
Introna
M
M
D001483:Base Sequence; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D007399:Interphase / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D054390:Receptors, CCR2; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
C515334:CCR2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D007376:Interleukin-2; D054390:Receptors, CCR2; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine